Following approval having been obtained from shareholders at this year’s Annual General Meeting for the introduction of a scrip dividend scheme (the "Scheme"), the Board has decided to introduce the Scheme with effect from the 2004 interim dividend.
Following approval having been obtained from shareholders at this year’s Annual General Meeting for the introduction of a scrip dividend scheme (the "Scheme"), the Board has decided to introduce the Scheme with effect from the 2004 interim dividend. The Scheme will provide shareholders who wish to do so with the opportunity to elect to receive fully paid new ordinary shares in the Company instead of cash dividends.
Details of the Scheme will be sent to all shareholders in the middle of July, with mandates being required to be registered with the Company's Registrar by 20 October 2004 for those wishing to elect to receive fully paid new ordinary shares in the Company instead of receiving the 2004 interim dividend in cash.
The timetable for the 2004 interim dividend is as follows:
- Interim dividend announced 4 August 2004
- Ordinary Shares quoted ex-dividend 11 August 2004
- Record date for the proposed interim dividend 13 August 2004
- Proposed interim dividend payment date 17 November 2004
The Scheme will replace the Company’s current Dividend Reinvestment Plan and further details relating to the treatment of existing Dividend Reinvestment Plan mandates will be provided in the Scheme details being sent to all shareholders.
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Contact:
Richard Whitaker, Group Company Secretary
Telephone: 020 7662 2051