Search firms are advertising for more headhunters to cope with the upturn in financial markets recruitment, in the latest sign that the securities industry has turned the corner.

Hanover Search and Selection, Astbury Marsden and Sheffield International are among the London headhunters that placed advertisements for financial services consultants last week. Hanover wants about eight staff for mid-to-senior level recruitment in banking and asset management, following "record profitability" in the first six months of this year.