Vodafone 1999 Annual Report Download - page 32

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Directors Report
Given the timing of the completion of the merger with AirTouch, rather than propose a final dividend for the year the
directors have declared a second interim dividend of 3.24p per ordinary share, amounting to £100.3m, payable on 13
August 1999 to shareholders on the register of members at close of business on 18 June 1999. An interim dividend of
3.12p per ordinary share was paid during the year, producing a total for the year of 6.36p per ordinary share. A scrip
dividend alternative to the cash dividend is available and further details of the Company’s Scrip Dividend Scheme can be
found here .
Charitable and political contributions
During the year, the Group made charitable donations amounting to £0.4m principally through the Vodafone Group
Charitable Trust which makes contributions primarily to medical research, the disabled, the socially disadvantaged,
education, the arts and environmental causes. Recipients of major donations during the year included Tommy’s
Campaign, the Meridian Broadcasting Charitable Trust, the Knight Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis, RNIB, HYPE, the
Multiple Sclerosis Society and the British Dyslexia Association. The Trust also made donations to registered charities
through the sponsorship of employees who participated in fund-raising events for the charity of their choice. Professor Sir
Alec Broers has been the Chairman of the trustees since 31 March 1998.
No political donations were made during the year.
Creditor payment terms
It is the Group’s policy to agree terms of transactions, including payment terms, with suppliers and provided suppliers
perform in accordance with the agreed terms, it is the Group’s normal practice that payment is made accordingly.
The number of days outstanding between receipt of invoices and date of payment, calculated by reference to the amount
owed to trade creditors at the year end as a proportion of the amounts invoiced by suppliers during the year, was 27 days
in aggregate for the Group. The Company did not have any trade creditors at 31 March 1999.
Research and development
The Group continues an active research and development programme for the enhancement of mobile
telecommunications.
Directors’ interests in the shares of Vodafone Group Plc
The Remuneration Report of the Board details the directors’ interests in the shares of Vodafone Group Plc.
Directors’ interests in contracts
None of the directors had a material interest in any contract of significance to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries was a party during the financial year.
http://www.vodafone.com/download/investor/reports/annual99/Directors_Report.htm (2 of 5)30/03/2007 00:09:01