Wood Mackenzie seeks £2bn London listing

Energy research company Wood Mackenzie is preparing for an initial public offering on the stock market which could value the company at up to £2bn.

The company, owned by US private equity firm Hellman & Friedman, has reportedly hired investment bank Lazard to advise on the proposed listing.

Wood Mackenzie was acquired from Charterhouse in 2012 at a valuation of £1.1bn, although Charterhouse still retains a 13% share in the company.

The Financial Times reported on Saturday that US companies Verisk Analytics and McGraw-Hill Financial had made bids for the Edinburgh-based company that value it at £1.6bn.