The
blue-chip company, which won the Golden Peacock award for corporate responsibility, successfully launched Sardar Package Scheme in 19 drought-prone districts of Gujarat to save water and power.
The 50% stake is up for sale after the
blue-chip company said it received unsolicited approaches for the holding, which has been valued by City analysts at between pounds 16bn to pounds 23bn.
SHARES in mobile phone giant Vodafone rose by more than 4% after the
blue-chip company announced plans for a pounds 2bn special dividend.
The study also found that one in six
blue-chip company directors did not receive a bonus as the recession savaged UK corporates in 2009, while bonus payments that were made were slashed by around 20%.
The
blue-chip company paid 725p a share for its 22% stake - pounds 239.4m - but Venture signalled any subsequent takeover move from Centrica would require a much higher offer price.
The
blue-chip company said letters had been sent that urged them to sell shares or face their personal details being posted on a website.
The days of lifetime employment with a
blue-chip company guaranteeing a rich pension are over.
Fellow
blue-chip company Severn Trent gained 23.5p to 928p.
"Usually when people hear the business plan for a
blue-chip company was written on the back of a cocktail napkin, they think it's a cute anecdote dreamed up by a journalist," says Bates.
"When a
blue-chip company like Mercedes-Benz chooses to build its new headquarters in New York, it's more than just a practical business decision it's a symbol of excellence and faith in New York's future.
Accountancy firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers also found that one in six
blue-chip company directors got no bonus in 2009 - while bonuses that were made were slashed by about 20%.
The
blue-chip company will take on back-office work for the local authority and then hopes to roll the service out to other councils across the UK, with a new site on the banks of the Tyne acting as its national headquarters.