LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's ARM.L (>> ARM Holdings plc) said it did not consult its partners such as Apple (>> Apple Inc.), Samsung (>> Samsung Electronics Co Ltd) and Qualcomm (>> QUALCOMM, Inc.), that use its technology in billions of chips before agreeing a $32 billion (£24.3 billion) takeover from Japan's Softbank (>> SoftBank Group Corp).

Chief Executive Simon Segars said, as is customary in takeovers, only a small number of people were involved in the talks.

"This is about a decision that a board ultimately needs to take and the board is there to make sure that the interests of all stakeholders are maintained," he told Reuters on Monday.

"So no, we weren't out consulting with our customers, we believe this is going to be a great thing for ARM, our partners, our employees, our shareholders and that's the judgement we've taken."

Segars also said Softbank's pledge to double ARM's workforce in Britain, adding anther 1,600 staff, would be legally binding in the final paperwork.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by Kate Holton)