South Yorkshire-headquartered talent management group Nicholas Associates has acquired Ashley Kate HR, a specialist HR recruitment company, for an undisclosed seven figure sum.

The acquisition comes hot on the heels of Nicholas Associates Group’s purchase of XL Graduate Placement and was part of an eight-figure refinancing deal supported by RBS and RBS Invoice Finance. 

In a company announcement, released yesterday, Nicholas Associates Group chief executive Lisa Gainsford said the acquisition of Ashley Kate HR is an “essential step in diversifying our group into HR recruitment”.

A company spokesperson told Recruiter Ashley Kate HR staff remain in post except one of its former owners, Hilary Scanlon, who has moved on. The other owner, Naomi Asher, is staying on and will work alongside the overall management team.

The Ashley Kate HR brand will remain.

Squire Patton Boggs corporate partner Paul Mann and associate Mae Salem advised Nicholas Associates. Transaction services firm DSW TS Leeds provided due diligence for the Group and RBS.

Springboard Corporate Finance, led by partner Ben Bolt and assistant director James Bailey, advised the vendors.

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