GfK Preparing Bid for Synovate?

Private equity firm Apax Partners and research firm GfK have edged nearer to making a bid for Aegis's market research arm Synovate, according to an anonymous source cited in The Daily Telegraph.

The newspaper report claims that Apax has been analysing the Synovate deal for several weeks while GfK has been holding informal discussions with advisers.

Accounts say that Aegis could sell off Synovate if it merges the group with French rival Havas. However, any such sale would require the agreement of Havas Chairman Vincent Bolloré, who owns 29.9% of Aegis.

In recent weeks, Bolloré is thought to have been lining up a 90p-a-share bid for the group, following the departure of its CEO Robert Lerwill in November. However, Bolloré has said he is 'not in a hurry' to raise his stake in the group.

Last year GfK lost out on a nil-premium merger with TNS, before it was sold to WPPfor £1.08bn.

Web sites: www.gfk.com , www.aegisplc.com and www.synovate.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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