A string of names has been linked to a bid for consulting engineer Scott Wilson, which confirmed it had received more than one takeover approach this week

According to one source familiar with the process, the bidders come from a group of the 鈥渦sual suspects鈥� in the consultancy arena. Firms known to be on the hunt for deals include US giants Aecom and Jacobs, Dutch groups Arcadis and Grontmij and Finnish firm P枚yry.

Costain has also been suggested as a possible suitor in a deal that would echo Balfour Beatty鈥檚 拢380m acquisition of consultant Parsons Brinckerhoff last September, but the contractor declined to comment.

Scott Wilson鈥檚 share price had risen by a fifth to 113p on Wednesday after Monday鈥檚 takeover announcement.

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