05/05/2006
Release of the 2005 Annual Report
Dignity is pleased to announce that its 2005 Annual Report was published today. This is the second annual report following its listing on the London Stock Exchange in April 2004.
On page 70 of the Annual Report there is the Notice for the Annual General Meeting of the Company, which will take place on 8 June 2006 at the Ramada Hotel and Resort in Sutton Coldfield near Birmingham.
A regulatory announcement was made to the London Stock Exchange on 3 February 2006 by the Company advising that it proposes to return £80million (£1 per share) to shareholders in August 2006 through the issue and redemption of a class of B shares. Both that announcement and the Annual Report refer to those proposals and a proposed share consolidation being tabled at an Extraordinary General Meeting originally planned for 8 June, to coincide with the Annual General Meeting.
After further consideration the directors of Dignity do not consider it appropriate for there to be such a long period of time between the Extraordinary General Meeting to approve these proposals and their actual implementation.
Accordingly it has been decided to change the date of the Extraordinary General Meeting to 28 July 2006. The change of date of the Extraordinary General Meeting will not affect the proposed timing of the return of cash to shareholders. It is the intention that shareholders on the Company's share register at close of business on 1 August 2006 will be eligible to receive B shares, which will be redeemed on 3 August 2006.
The return of value is dependent upon its approval by shareholders at the EGM and the Company complying with certain requirements agreed with the Security Trustee of the Whole Business Securitisation at the time the Further Securitised Notes were issued in February 2006. It is expected that these will be satisfied by 31 July 2006.
A circular setting out the details of the issue and redemption of the B shares; the proposed share consolidation; and the time and venue of the Extraordinary General Meeting, will be sent to all shareholders at the end of June.
Enquiries:
Richard Portman
Company Secretary
Tel: (0121) 354 1557