Technical recruiter TAC Europe, part of Japanese-headquartered global staffing business Crystal, has acquired Technology Project Services (TPS) from the SGS Group. Founded in the UK in 1971, TPS operates within similar markets to TAC Europe, delivering a range of recruitment solutions to clients across the aerospace, defence, electronics and utilities sectors among others. The details of the transaction were not disclosed. This is the fourth acquisition for TAC Europe in nine months.

Executives Online has signed up its first overseas franchisee. Steve Rattray is to head up Executives Online Australia, with headquarters in Sydney. Rattray, a native Australian, plans to build a successful recruitment business, but also to license the database to HR consultancies, training companies and other partners who will use it as a platform to support their own recruitment operations.

Law firm Tarlo Lyons, which includes many recruitment firms among its clients, is to merge with rival Blake Lapthorn Linnell. Blake is active in the employment sector, but not especially strong in recruitment. “Its strengths complement ours,” said Kevin Barrow, partner at Tarlo Lyons. The new firm is likely to be called Blake Lapthorn Tarlo Lyons.

Psychometric testing firm SHL has teamed up with Caveon Test Security to fortify the security of new, online assessment tools. SHL is applying Caveon’s test security expertise to maximise the security of its Verify range of products. Research on CVs shows that a large proportion of candidates embellish their credentials or omit information that would help employers make more valid hiring decisions, says SHL.