With 180 employees, Spectron is one of the largest brokers in global OTC energy markets, and also covers freight. Imarex bought it in 2008 for £70m, and in 2010 Spectron produced around 85% of Imarex’s revenues of Nkr632m ($113m).

The deal is a good fit for Marex, which is strong in exchange-traded derivatives. Marex CEO Roger Nagioff said in a statement: “Spectron has a great management team and a long and successful track record in operating the largest independent global OTC marketplaces for gas, power and other asset classes.”

The acquisition is expected to close in April or May, pending approval from the UK Financial Services Authority. Imarex will keep 20% of the purchase price until June 30 2012, when general warrants issued under the deal lapse. At closing, Imarex plans to repay its interest-bearing debt of around Nkr190m.

Imarex is now a much smaller company. Its chairman Christian Due said: “Imarex has continuously stated that it would be active in the ongoing industry consolidation and consider all options to the benefit of its shareholders.”

Imarex now has NOS Clearing, which clears freight and seafood trading, a fisheries analytics unit, and 41% of FishPool, the salmon trading exchange.