Bob Diamond's firm is hiring, from Barclays

Do you want to work for Bob Diamond? Because his firm Atlas Mara is hiring and has been raiding the ranks of Barclays for its senior positions.

It’s just released its interim results for 2015 and has turned its first profit of $4.1m. In recent weeks, the firm Diamond set up to make investments in Africa has made some significant hires.

Michael Christelis joined as head of treasury and markets earlier this month from Barclays Africa. Another ex-Barclays employee to join was Dr. Mabouba Diagne who signed up to Atlas Mara's BancABC as head of corporate and investment banking in July. Eric Odhiambo will be joining from Citi as chief risk officer in the fourth quarter.

John Vitalo, CEO of Atlas Mara and of course the former head of Barclays’ MENA operation, said that “further announcements regarding senior hires will be announced in due course”.

The firm doesn’t break out headcount, but spent $27.2m in the first half on its employees.

Separately, it also set up a 40-strong “special operations unit” in the first half to tackle the recovery of underperforming loans.