Intertek Board Likely to Accept EQT's Acquisition Offer

May 13, 2026, 11:29
EuropeFinance

Introduction

Intertek, a laboratory testing company listed in London, has indicated that it may recommend a £10.6 billion takeover bid from the Swedish private equity firm EQT.

Main Body

The current offer of £60 per share is a significant increase from three previous attempts, which were priced at £58, £54, and £51. This valuation means the company is worth £10.6 billion including debt. The board changed its position after discussing the matter with major investors. Specifically, the Lost Coast Collective, led by Matt Peltz, pressured the board by asserting that the market did not believe the current management could improve the company on its own. Intertek has a long history and joined the FTSE 100 in 2009. Recently, the company started a strategic review to decide if it should separate its energy and infrastructure division from its product-testing business. However, because the EQT bid is now being investigated through due diligence, this internal review has been paused. EQT was originally part of Investor AB, owned by the influential Wallenberg family. The deal still depends on the completion of final checks and the signing of official documents. According to the City Takeover Panel rules, EQT must submit a formal bid by 17:00 on June 11, otherwise the process will end.

Conclusion

Intertek is now waiting for a final offer from EQT, which depends on the results of the due diligence and approval from shareholders.

Learning

🚀 The 'Precision Shift': Moving from Basic to Professional

To move from A2 to B2, you must stop using 'general' words (like big, say, or do) and start using 'precise' verbs. Look at how this business text transforms simple ideas into professional English.

⚡ The Upgrade Map

A2 (Basic)B2 (Professional)Context from Text
Say / Tell→\rightarrow Assert...asserting that the market did not believe...
Change→\rightarrow Improve...management could improve the company...
Look at→\rightarrow Investigate...is now being investigated through due diligence...
Stop→\rightarrow Pause...this internal review has been paused.

🧠 Why this matters for your fluency

An A2 student says: "The boss said the company is bad, so they stopped the plan."

A B2 student says: "The investor asserted that management was ineffective, so the review was paused."

Notice that 'assert' is stronger than 'say'—it means to say something with confidence and authority. 'Pause' is more professional than 'stop' because it implies the action might start again later.

🛠️ Pro-Tip: The 'Passive' Power-Up

Check this sentence: "...this internal review has been paused."

In A2 English, we usually say who did the action: "The board paused the review." But in B2 business English, the action is more important than the person. We use the Passive Voice (has been paused) to sound objective and formal. This is a key 'bridge' skill for B2 certification.

Vocabulary Learning

acquisition
the act of buying and taking control of a company
Example:Intertek is considering an acquisition of a smaller firm.
bid
an offer to buy something, especially a company
Example:The company received a competitive bid for its shares.
valuation
the process of determining how much something is worth
Example:The valuation of the company increased after the new report.
investors
people who put money into businesses
Example:Investors are waiting for the next quarterly report.
pressure
the influence that makes someone do something
Example:The board faced pressure from shareholders.
assert
to state something firmly
Example:He asserted that the plan would succeed.
market
the group of buyers and sellers of goods and services
Example:The market reacted positively to the announcement.
management
the people who run a company
Example:Management must decide the next strategy.
improve
to make something better
Example:They hope to improve customer satisfaction.
separate
to divide into parts
Example:They plan to separate the divisions next year.
division
a part of a larger organization
Example:The division will focus on renewable energy.
infrastructure
the basic physical structures and facilities needed for a society
Example:Infrastructure costs are rising.
product-testing
testing products to check quality
Example:Product-testing ensures safety standards.
due diligence
careful investigation before a business deal
Example:Due diligence revealed hidden liabilities.
completion
the finishing of a task
Example:Completion of the merger is expected by year-end.
official
formally recognized or authorized
Example:The official documents were signed.
formal
according to established rules
Example:A formal meeting was scheduled.
process
a series of actions to achieve a result
Example:The approval process took several months.
approval
permission or agreement
Example:Approval from the board was granted.
shareholders
people who own shares in a company
Example:Shareholders voted in favor of the proposal.