NVM Private Equity is investing £5.6 million in the buy-out.

The deal sees founder Paul Marsden sell his 80 per cent stake in the business. Marsden has since resigned as chief executive.

The buy-out was led by Jonathan Nicholson, who has worked for Astbury Marsden for nine years, and chief operating officer Mark Cameron. The two have re-invested all their current equity into the deal.

Cameron says as well as backing the deal, NVM has provided the funding needed to help Astbury Marsden take advantage of the growing demand for its services in the banking sector.

Debt was provided by HSBC, while the legal side of the deal was handled by Wragge & Co, Eversheds and emw law. Livingstone Partners and Deloitte advised on financial issues.

Established in 1995, Astbury Marsden provides candidates for permanent and temporary positions at blue-chip organisations in the UK, the US and Asia. Its clients include Barclays, UBS, JPMorgan, Oliver Wyman and Virgin.