Last checked at 7 Jan 2011 12:11
Bellway p.l.c. AGM Statement and Directorate Change Friday 7 January 2011
At today's AGM, the Chairman, Mr Howard Dawe, made the following statement:
Trading
"The Board still anticipates that unit completions in the six months to 31 January 2011 will be similar to last year, albeit at slightly higher average selling prices. The outcome for the year to 31 July 2011 will be dependent on the level of consumer confidence during the forthcoming spring selling season.
I am pleased that the increased final dividend per ordinary share of 6.7 pence has been approved to be paid on Wednesday 12 January 2011, thereby extending Bellway's dividend record.
The Board believes that Bellway continues to be well positioned in what is still a tough and testing market for UK housebuilding.
Bank Facilities
Bellway is pleased to announce that it has renewed a borrowing facility with one of its major banking partners. The previous unexpired facility with this bank of £75 million was due to expire between April 2011 and January 2012. This has been replaced with a new facility of £150 million which will be due to expire, in a variety of tranches, from January 2012 through to December 2015. The fee for this new bilateral arrangement would add less than 30 basis points to the overall blended margin through to maturity. The Group presently has combined facilities of £380 million which, with no significant change in banking covenants, further strengthens its ability to acquire land at attractive margins.
Directorate Change
Peter Stoker (54), the Commercial Director, has decided to retire from the Board on 31 July 2011. Peter joined the Group, initially as Legal Adviser and Assistant Company Secretary, in March 1981. He was then appointed Company Secretary in 1985 and joined the Board as an executive director in 1995. In 2002, he relinquished the role of Company Secretary whilst continuing on the Board in his current role as Commercial Director. The Board would like to place on record its sincere gratitude for his dedicated service and highly valued contribution to the Group over the years and wishes him a long and happy retirement.
Our Southern Regional Chairman, Edward (Ted) Ayres (48), will join the Board on 1 August 2011. Ted commenced employment with Bellway in January 2002 as Managing Director of our Thames Gateway division and was appointed to his current role in 2006. He will take up his new role of Operations Director on appointment to the Board.
A pre-close Trading Update will be issued on Monday 7 February 2011 following the conclusion of the six month period ending 31 January 2011."
For further information contact from 2pm onwards either John Watson, Chief Executive or Alistair Leitch, Finance Director on 0191 217 0717
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