The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that Montreal engineering giant WSP Global has struck a deal to buy British transport and energy consulting firm Ricardo PLC as it steams ahead with a growth strategy that shows no signs of slowing. The Globe's Nicolas Van Praet writes that WSP is offering to pay 430 pence per share in a deal worth 363.1 million British pounds including debt (about $670-million at current exchange rates). That is a takeover multiple of 10.4 times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization in 2024 for Ricardo's continuing operations, WSP said. Ricardo was under pressure from British consultancy Science Group, one of its major investors, to sell or break up the company after what it calls a lengthy period of underperformance. Science Group will sell most of its 22-per-cent stake in Ricardo to WSP in a side deal. WSP said it has won support for the transaction from all of Ricardo's directors as well as major shareholders representing about 48 per cent of the consulting firm's issued share capital. It will pay for the takeover with a new 230-million-pound ($425-million) loan facility arranged by Royal Bank of Canada as well as cash on hand and existing credit.