Hat Pin, the human resources group operating through the brands Akamai Financial Markets, Saxton Bampfylde Hever and The Talent Business, has announced the acquisition of Executive Access India, a leading executive search firm in India, and also updated the market on first half trading and current prospects.

Hat Pin will pay a maximum consideration of £6.9m in a mixture of cash and shares for Executive Access India.

Executive Access India, which operates across the financial services, technology, corporate, academia and not-for-profit sectors, has a well-established, blue chip client base and operational diversity that will fully complement existing Hat Pin businesses.

Commenting on the acquisition and trading update, Angela Campbell-Noe, chief executive of Hat Pin, said: "Executive Access India is one of the pre-eminent executive search firms in India with an outstanding track record. I am delighted that we are able to extend our network into such a key, fast-growing marketplace with one of the most talented and ambitious teams.

"Our existing businesses have maintained the momentum from the start of the year, with strong forward order books and high levels of activity, and the group remains on track to meet expectations for the year."