Abu Dhabi’s two major sovereign wealth funds, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Mubadala, have joined a large international buyout deal in the United Kingdom. They are backing the take-private acquisition of testing and certification company Intertek. The deal is led by Swedish investment firm EQT and values Intertek at about GBP 9.3 billion.
The two Abu Dhabi funds are investing a combined GBP 1.5 billion, equal to around USD 2 billion. This makes the transaction one of the biggest UK take-private deals this year. It also continues a strong trend of Gulf capital flowing into major global buyouts.
The breakdown of the investment shows the scale of commitment from Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is contributing GBP 1 billion and will receive an 18 percent stake in the company. Mubadala is investing GBP 500 million for an 8 percent stake. Together, they form a key part of the financing structure supporting the acquisition.
Intertek is a global provider of testing, inspection, and certification services. It works across industries such as consumer goods, healthcare, energy, and infrastructure. The company helps businesses meet safety rules, quality standards, and regulatory requirements across international markets. Its services are widely used in global supply chains.
The deal will remove Intertek from the London Stock Exchange and take it into private ownership. This reflects a growing trend in private equity where large firms partner with sovereign wealth funds to finance major acquisitions. These deals often rely on long term investors who can provide stable capital.
EQT is leading the transaction with support from several major financial and legal advisors. Global banks and law firms are involved in structuring and regulatory work. The complexity of the deal highlights the scale of modern private equity transactions, where multiple institutions coordinate across financing, compliance, and communications.
Beyond this transaction, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth funds are active in several other global deals. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is also investing alongside CVC Capital Partners and Groupe Bruxelles Lambert in a EUR 10.7 billion bid to take Italian pharmaceutical company Recordati private. The offer aims to support future expansion and strategic flexibility for the company.
In another move, ADIA has taken part in a stake purchase in India’s Corona Remedies. The fund joined a group of investors acquiring a 7.3 percent stake in the drugmaker through a block deal on the National Stock Exchange of India. The investment adds to its growing exposure to healthcare and emerging market assets.
Mubadala is also reshaping its portfolio through exits. It is selling its stake in the Turkish delivery company Getir’s food delivery arm after regulatory approval for Uber’s takeover. The transaction includes a USD 500 million investment commitment from Uber and forms part of a wider restructuring of Getir’s business units.
Earlier, Mubadala sold Getir’s food delivery operations and has also exited other related businesses. These moves reflect a broader strategy of portfolio adjustment as the firm shifts focus toward different sectors and regions.
Across the Gulf, sovereign wealth funds have accelerated overseas investments. Data shows that Gulf entities announced around USD 47 billion in acquisitions in the months following regional geopolitical tensions. This is significantly higher than the previous year, even as global merger and acquisition activity declined.
Abu Dhabi funds have remained especially active across sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, technology, and alternative assets. Their investment strategy focuses on long term value and diversification away from traditional energy income. Large take-private deals like Intertek are part of this broader approach.
The latest investment reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a key global capital provider in large buyouts. It also shows how sovereign wealth funds are increasingly central to private equity financing. As global dealmaking continues to evolve, Abu Dhabi’s role in cross-border acquisitions is expected to expand further.
