Allegis, the largest privately owned staffing company in the world, has acquired Aston Carter, the recruitment firm which specialises in consultancy, finance and IT, from venture capitalists Baird Capital Partners Europe, the Financial Times reports.

Baird bought a majority stake in Aston Carter for 13 million Pounds in 2007 and has now sold Aston Carter for $89 million (55 million Pounds).

Graham Brown, Analyst at Evolution Securities, told the Financial Times that the deal could challenge financial recruiters in the City of London like Michael Page and Robert Walters. He said "this alters the landscape. The more well-resourced players there are in the market, the stiffer the competition."

Founded in 1997, Aston Carter is a global recruitment business specialising in consultancy, finance and information technology. With a turnover of 180 million Pounds, the Company employs more than 300 staff servicing 16 countries worldwide including Belgium, Ireland, France, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sweden.

Chris Hartman, President of International Operations at Allegis, commented "Aston Carter is one of the strongest players in the financial services market in London and it supplements what we do in the US."

Allegis employs more than 8,000 internal employees and 90,000 contractors working with customers internationally. Allegis operates in the United States, Canada, the UK, Continental Europe, Puerto Rico, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim.