BENGALURU: Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is investigating statements made by Carillion over seven months up to and including a profit warning last July, the struggling building and services company said on Wednesday.
Carillion, which is involved in major infrastructure projects for the British and other governments, has been fighting for its survival after costly contract delays and a downturn in new business. In November it issued its third profit warning in five months.
The investigation by the markets watchdog concerns “the timeliness and content of announcements made by Carillion between December 7, 2016 and July 10, 2017,” the company said in a brief statement to the London Stock Exchange.
Carillion said it was cooperating fully with the FCA.
In the period under review, Carillion released a full-year trading update, its 2016 results, an annual general meeting statement and a 2017 first-half trading update. Its shares fell more than 54 percent over the seven months.
The company announced on July 10 it would undertake a review of its business, suspended its dividend, announced divestments and said it expected overall performance to be below management’s previous expectations.
Carillion also said then that Richard Howson would step down as chief executive and named Keith Cochrane as interim CEO.
Analysts estimate the company is also grappling with debt including provisions, pensions and accounts payable of about £1.5 billion (SR7.55 billion).
Carillion shares have lost 90 percent of their value since the profit warning on July 10. Carillion’s market capitalization stands at about £70 million, according to Thomson Reuters data.
Carillion and FCA declined to provide any additional details on the investigation.
Carillion last month moved forward the start date for new chief executive Andrew Davies forward to January 22 from April 2.
Davies, head of family-owned builder Wates Group and formerly with defense company BAE Systems, will replace interim CEO Cochrane.
UK regulator investigating Carillion statements
UK regulator investigating Carillion statements
Saudi Arabia among top states in tech security with 99% score, says official
RIYADH: Programs and security initiatives launched by the Ministry of Interior have contributed significantly to improving quality of life in Saudi Arabia by generating high-quality data that supports planning and enables faster responses, placing the Kingdom in the global spotlight, Khalid Al-Bakr, CEO of the Quality of Life Program, told Al-Eqtisadiah.
He noted that the Unified Security Operations Centers 911 in Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Madinah, and Makkah are among the Quality of Life Program’s initiatives implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, producing data that helps develop plans and ensure swift responses to incidents.
Al-Bakr added that technology has been integrated into security capabilities, including the use of body cameras for security personnel, which has helped maintain high levels of public safety.
He highlighted that reporting violations or crimes via 911 has an average response time of just two seconds, describing it as a technological leap that serves residents and visitors alike and enhances trust in security services.
The CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life Program said the Kingdom ranks among the top countries globally in security technology, with a 99 percent rating, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia is a leader in leveraging advanced security technologies to serve residents and visitors, making it an attractive place to live and visit.
Al-Bakr explained that the major transformation in the use of technology — particularly in services provided by the Ministry of Interior — has had a significant impact on quality of life, noting that accessing services such as passport or national ID renewal has become faster and more convenient, often available at the click of a button.
