European and UK institutions are expected to launch a bid of up to £200m early in the new year for Martin Currie, the Edinburgh-based fund management company. Insiders say there is a mood among some of the 250 employee-owners of the Edinburgh firm to do a deal. The 'big boutique', as it is nicknamed, is ripe for takeover as funds under management over the past year have swollen to £7.7bn, and revenues rise by 17.2% to £55.8m. Would-be suitors are expected to show interest from both sides of the Channel, with big Continental asset management outfits pitted against home-based firms that have already successfully merged.