Share Capital information
Authorised Share Capital
The authorised share capital of Cable and Wireless plc is:
£875,000,000 divided into 3,500,000,000 Ordinary Shares of 25p each.

Issued Share Capital
For up to date information on the issued share capital, please contact the Company Secretary's Office on +44 (0)20 7315 4626.

Privatisation History
Cable and Wireless plc was incorporated as a private company in 1929 to implement the merger of several British companies which had been among the pioneers of international telecommunications in the 19th and early 20th centuries. By 1939, Cable & Wireless owned the world’s most extensive international cable and radio network and operated worldwide.

In 1945, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that, as part of the post war nationalisation programme, the telecommunications services operated by Cable & Wireless would be transferred to public ownership. The proposal was granted Royal Assent in 1946 and the Company was nationalised in 1947.

Cable & Wireless continued as a Government owned company until 1981, when the UK Government disposed of just under 50% of its shares and the Company was listed on the London Stock Exchange. In November 1983, the UK Government was allotted one Special Rights Preference Share in the Company prior to the disposal of its remaining Ordinary Shares via two further public offerings in December 1983 and December 1985.

Details on the Offers for Sale, other Corporate Actions and the Special Rights Preference Share can be seen in the schedule.

Download Word Privatisation History Schedule [34K]

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