Shareholder relationships

The Board attaches great importance to maintaining good relationships with all shareholders, who are kept informed of significant company developments. 

Presentations are made of the Interim and Preliminary results, briefings are given to analysts, and other meetings to discuss company direction are held with institutional shareholders on a regular basis.  Regular dialogue with shareholders helps to ensure that the company’s strategy is understood and that any queries or other issues are addressed in a constructive way. 

All company announcements and presentations are made available on our website which also contains corporate and customer information, which is updated on a regular basis.  It also contains answers to frequently asked shareholder questions and a telephone helpline is available on 0870 702 0134.

The chief executive and chief finance officer are closely involved in investor relations and report back to the Board the views of major shareholders and any communication from shareholders to ensure that, both executive and non-executive directors, have an understanding of their views. Investor meetings are arranged through the company’s broker, UBS Investment Bank.  The chairman, the senior independent director and the other non-executive directors are available to meet major shareholders whenever necessary, and the chairman regularly does so.  The Board fully supports the principles of the Combined Code which seeks to encourage a more active interest and contribution from institutional shareholders.

The Board also regards the Annual general meeting as an opportunity to communicate directly with private investors.