UK-listed buyout group Candover has increased its stake in research and consulting business Wood Mackenzie to take a controlling majority in the lead up to an initial public offering which could value the company at about £800m (€1.1bn).

Candover, which originally made a combined equity and debt investment of about £75m in Wood Mackenzie in 2005, has taken on a further 24% share for an undisclosed sum. It now owns 67% of Wood Mackenzie.