Hunter is favourite for Wilson Bowden
The Scottish tycoon, backed by HBoS, has tabled an offer of about 23 a share.
While this is short of analysts’ 25-a-share forecasts, bankers believe it will prove more attractive than rival bids from housebuilders Barratt and George .
Wilson Bowden put itself up for sale last July after it emerged that founder and chairman David Wilson was reviewing options for his controlling stake. The sale is being handled by
Wilson wants to retire, so he is unlikely to be tempted by an offer to own shares in an enlarged group. ‘The board prefers the cash offer,’ said an industry source. ‘It is more straightforward and gives David a clean break.’
Hunter, who made his fortune - an estimated 780m - in property and sports retail, has worked on a series of deals with HBoS, such as last year’s 1.1bn takeover of retirement homes builder .
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