Information for shareholders

Financial calendar

Ex-dividend date for 2002 final dividend	30 April 2003
Record date for 2002 final dividend	2 May 2003
Annual general meeting, International Convention Centre, Birmingham	12 May 2003
Final dividend payment date	18 June 2003
2003 interim results announced	31 July 2003
Interim dividend payment date	12 November 2003

 

Centrica shareholder helpline

Centrica’s shareholder register is maintained on our behalf by Lloyds TSB Registrars who are responsible for making dividend payments and updating the register, including details of changes to shareholders’ addresses and purchases or sales of Centrica shares. If you have a question about your shareholding in Centrica, you should contact:

Centrica shareholder helpline: 0870 600 3985
Text phone: 0870 600 3950
Write to: Lloyds TSB Registrars
The Causeway, Worthing
West Sussex BN99 6DA

Duplicate shareholder accounts

Shareholders who receive more than one copy of Centrica communications may have shares registered inadvertently in at least two accounts. This happens when the registration details of separate transactions differ slightly. If you wish to co-ordinate these accounts, call the Centrica shareholder helpline to request an account combination form. The form is also available to download from our website.

Direct dividend payments

The two dividends each year (see financial calendar) can be paid automatically into your bank or building society account.
This service has a number of benefits:

• there is no risk of the dividend cheque going missing in the post;
• the dividend payment is received more quickly as the cash is paid directly into the account on the payment date without the need to wait for the cheque to clear; and
• a single consolidated tax voucher is issued at the end of the tax year in March, in time for your self-assessment tax return.

Arranging your dividend payment in this way also helps Centrica improve its efficiency by reducing postage and cheque clearance costs. If you wish to register for this service, call the Centrica shareholder helpline to request a direct dividend payment form. The form is also available to download from our website.

Electronic communications

Shareholders who prefer to receive communications from Centrica electronically are encouraged to register their email address via the investor section of our website. The company’s annual report is available on the Centrica website and, by registering, shareholders will receive an electronic notification when the company’s annual reports and notices of general meetings become available. Shareholders are also able to complete and return voting papers for the company’s AGM electronically. Registration is free and easy to complete. All that is required for registration is the shareholder reference number which is shown on your tax vouchers and share certificates. Once you are registered, you may also look up a range of information including the number of Centrica shares you hold, the registered name and address details and information held for dividend payment instructions.

The Centrica website

The Centrica website at www.centrica.com provides news and details of the company’s activities, plus information on the share price and links to our brand sites.

The investor information section of the website contains up-to-date information for shareholders including the company’s latest results and key dates such as dividend payment dates. It also holds details such as past dividend payment dates and amounts, and a comprehensive share price information section. Visit www.centrica.com/investors

Share price information

The Centrica share price, and historical details, may be viewed on our website. Shareholders can find share prices listed in most national newspapers. Ceefax and Teletext pages also display share prices that are updated regularly throughout the trading day. For an accurate buying or selling price, you should contact a stockbroker or High Street bank.

Useful historical information

Demerger

Centrica plc traded on the London Stock Exchange for the first time on 17 February 1997, the date of demerger from British Gas plc. Shares were acquired in Centrica on the basis of one Centrica share for every British Gas plc share held at demerger. Shares in Centrica, acquired at demerger, are treated as having a base cost for Capital Gains Tax purposes (calculated in accordance with taxation legislation) of 64.25 pence each.

Share capital consolidation

On 10 May 1999, the ordinary share capital of Centrica plc was consolidated on the basis of nine new ordinary shares of 5 5/9 pence for every ten ordinary shares of 5 pence held on 7 May 1999. The consolidation was linked to the payment of a special dividend of 12 pence per share on 23 June 1999.

Shareholder benefits

A series of updated benefits on selected products and services from across the group has recently been introduced. Our major brands British Gas, Scottish Gas, The AA, Goldfish and One.Tel are all featured in these offers.

To request a brochure, please call the Centrica shareholder helpline or visit the shareholder benefits page of our website. If you have not previously registered, you will be asked to give your shareholder reference number in order to participate.

ShareGift

ShareGift is a charity share donation scheme for shareholders, administered by the Orr Mackintosh Foundation. It is especially for those who may wish to dispose of a small parcel of shares whose value makes it uneconomic to sell on a commission basis. Further information can be obtained at www.sharegift.org or from the Centrica shareholder helpline.

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