This week should see several transatlantic takeovers succeed – raising some old fears about UK business culture
The fabled “special relationship” between the UK and the US has worn thin in recent years. Warm words have given way to stern warnings on Brexit and surly trade talks. Yet there is one aspect of the relationship that certainly remains special: corporate America’s apparently insatiable appetite for British businesses.
Uncle Sam’s shopping trolley has been filled to overflowing with UK companies since the start of the pandemic, as market panic gave way to a bargain-hunting frenzy that has seen bids for notable names including outsourcer G4S, infrastructure builder John Laing and defence companies Meggitt and Ultra Electronics. This week will mark the next steps in three more buyouts: supermarket Morrisons, inhaler-maker Vectura and bookmaker Entain.