• Bluestones Investment Group has announced a joint venture and launched a new life sciences agency – SEDA Talent. Based in Central Belfast, the new business will be recruiting for biotech, foodtech, medtech and pharmaceutical professionals throughout the UK and Ireland. Initially permanent-focused, according to a statement, the business will evolve to also provide contract and temporary recruitment services, as founders Darrach Teague and Seamus Moore grow the business. SEDA Talent is a new business within the Bluestones Equity Partners division (formerly known as Bluestones’ investment division), and joins Clayton, ENS, Green Carbon Talent and EC&I Partners.

• Môrwell Talent Solutions, a specialist accounting and finance sector recruitment agency, has launched in Cardiff. The start-up has been created by joint directors Sarah Jones and Ceri Leath, who bring a combined experience of 35 years in recruitment, to provide permanent and interim talent for businesses looking for accounting and financial talent in Cardiff and South Wales.

• Scotland’s construction trade association SELECT has launched a new online employment resource to help companies source key personnel. The body is introducing a free jobs board to allow its 1,240 member firms to advertise vacancies directly on the front page of the SELECT website. Adverts include the full job description and details of how to contact the company to find out more.

• The Barton Partnership has opened its first office in Sydney, Australia. James Roberts leads the APAC business and the firm’s private equity and financial services practice across the region. The executive recruitment firm also has offices in London, New York, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong.