Consultant edges ahead of rivals including Atkins in bid race for US consultant
WSP is in pole position to buy Parsons Brinckerhoff from Balfour Beatty, according to reports.
The Financial Times has reported Balfour Beatty is in advanced talks to sell the US-based design consultant to WSP for 拢700m, while Sky News has reported WSP has edged ahead of Atkins in the bidding process, but is not yet in a formal period of exclusive talks.
According to Sky News a statement confirming the talks is expected imminently, with a formal agreement between Balfour Beatty and WSP possible within 10 days.
The news comes as Carillion weighs up whether or not to sweeten its 拢3bn merger offer for Balfour Beatty ahead of Thursday鈥檚 deadline to table an offer.
WSP is led by chief executive and president Pierre Shoiry and chairman Chris Cole (pictured).
WSP declined to comment. Balfour Beatty referred to previous comments saying the sale was 鈥渨ell advanced鈥�.
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