East Asia is still the big story at recruitment outfit Harvey Nash (HVN). The group has shifted some of its workforce to Vietnam in recent months, but the latest development is the acquisition of executive recruitment company Beaumont KK in Japan. Chief executive Albert Ellis said the “recovery story” in Japan played into recruiters’ hands, and demand for technology appointments in the region remained strong.
Technology recruitment is a booming business elsewhere, too, says Mr Ellis, with growing demand for software and website developers as more companies go digital. London’s reputation for technology innovation helped push revenues in the UK and Ireland up 2 per cent to £114m in the first half, driving a 10 per cent improvement in operating profit to £1.9m.