KKR and Energy Capital Partners poised to buy firm despite misgivings from founder and biggest shareholders

• Nils Pratley: Private equity finds soft takeover targets in London – yet again

One of the biggest energy businesses listed on the London Stock Exchange has agreed a controversial £5.7bn takeover by private equity, adding to the growing exodus of companies from the UK market.

The US private equity groups KKR and Energy Capital Partners are poised to buy DCC Energy after the company’s board recommended the offer despite misgivings from its founder and biggest shareholders.