The share capital is divided as to:
792 ordinary shares of £1 each
200 cumulative preference shares of £1 each
Shareholders' Funds
There are 792 ordinary shares made up of six classes of share - 4 A Shares, 26 B Shares, 316 C Shares, 394 D Shares, 26 E Shares, 26 F Shares. All six classes of ordinary share have identical shareholder rights in all respects.
There are 200 cumulative preference shares of £1 each at par value. Dividends are payable at the rate of £50 per share, adjusted by inflation, which means that in the current year the dividend was £137.15 per share.
The preference shareholders have no right in the event of a winding up beyond arrears of dividends and repayments of capital.
They have no right to vote except in the following circumstances:
a) Dividends on their shares have been in arrears for six months or more, or
b) A resolution is proposed for winding up the company or for a reduction in the capital of the company, or
c) A resolution is to be proposed abrogating, varying or modifying any of the special rights or privileges attached to the preference shares.
The shareholders' funds are divided between the members as to cumulative preference shares £200 (2024: £200) and ordinary shares £1,621,142 (2024: £1,626,129)