Carillion's Eaga takeover 'a done deal' despite protests

The boss of Carillion, the support services and building company, today dismissed concerns about its £306million takeover of energy-saving specialist Eaga, despite anger among staff at the target firm.

Carillion chief executive John McDonough said the takeover was "a done deal", in spite of more than 2,000 Eaga staff - half its workforce - signing a petition in protest at their treatment during the takeover.

McDonough said: "We've very excited by it. We've got an irrevocable undertaking to support this deal from the Eaga trust." [The Trust holds 37% of Eaga shares for the benefit of current, past and future employees]."

McDonough said Carillion hoped to help Eaga win a PFI contract worth about £3.5billion in the renewables market "and that will create jobs".

Last year, Carillion's underlying pre-tax profit rose 7% to £188.1 million.

McDonough said the firm's pipeline of contract opportunities was the highest ever, adding: "It's a sign of the times. Councils are bundling up more support services."