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 “usual suspects” 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 Pöyry.

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

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

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