UK boutique investment bank Peel Hunt has added a quartet of executives from rival firms across its corporate broking, specialist sales and equity research divisions — hires it said show it is prepared to invest in recruitments for future growth.

The firm, which employed around 240 people at the date of its most recent accounts, has added to its ranks with two hires from Numis Securities, a close rival in UK corporate broking. Michael Burke and Tom Ballard are both experienced advisers to UK companies, the firm said, with Burke’s client roster spanning the construction, retail, support services and leisure sectors, while Ballard specialises in equity market deals for mid-cap companies.