SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
24 December, 2003
BT Group plc
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
BT Centre
81 Newgate Street
London
EC1A 7AJ
England
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F..X... Form 40-F.....
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the
information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ..... No ..X..
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
Enclosures: 1. Holding(s) in Company announcement made on 02 December 2003
2. Technical interest adjustment announcement made on
04 December 2003
3. Contract Win announcement made on 08 December 2003
4. Contract Win announcement made on 08 December 2003
5. Contract Win announcement made on 08 December 2003
6. Director Shareholding announcement made on 15 December 2003
7. Technical interest adjustment announcement made on
15 December 2003
8. Disposal announcement made on 17 December 2003
9. Acquisition announcement made on 19 December 2003
Enclosure 1
SCHEDULE 10
NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES
1) Name of company
BT Group plc
2) Name of shareholder having a major interest
The Capital Group Companies, Inc
3) Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of
holding of the shareholder named in 2 above or in respect of a
non-beneficial interest or in the case of an individual holder if it is a
holding of that person's spouse or children under the age of 18
Total holding of the above shareholder
4) Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the
number of shares held by each of them
Capital International Limited
Registered holder number of shares held
State Street Nominees Limited 92,650
Bank of New York Nominees 21,250,816
Northern Trust 3,880,209
Chase Nominees Limited 8,259,269
Midland Bank plc 391,600
Bankers Trust 9,183,142
Barclays Bank 471,100
Citibank London 109,700
Morgan Guaranty 1,151,500
Nortrust Nominees 8,485,149
State Street Bank and Trust Company 836,100
Deutsche Bank AG 4,041,555
HSBC Bank plc 3,152,289
Mellon Bank N.A. 823,928
Northern Trust AVFC 636,252
Mellon Nominees (UK) Limited 125,400
Bank One London 1,193,200
Capital International S.A.
Registered holder number of shares held
Citibank NA Toronto 27,900
Capital International, Inc.
Registered holder number of shares held
State Street Nominees Limited 1,777,400
Bank of New York Nominees 270,123
Chase Nominees Limited 2,297,900
Citibank London 24,700
State Street Bank & Trust Co. 20,700
Citibank NA Toronto 237,800
Capital Research and Management Company
Registered holder number of shares held
Chase Nominees Limited 192,875,000
5) Number of shares/amount of stock acquired
total holding of 261,615,382 shares
6) Percentage of issued class
3.02%
7) Number of shares/amount of stock disposed
nil
8) Percentage of issued class
n/a
9) Class of security
Ordinary shares of 5p
10) Date of transaction
17 November 2003
11) Date company informed
2 December 2003
12) Holding following this notification
261,519,674
13) Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
3.02%
14) Any additional information
none
15. Name of contact and telephone number for queries
Graeme Wheatley, 020 7356 6372
16. Name and signature of authorised company official responsible for making
this notification:
Graeme Wheatley, 020 7356 6372
Date of notification 02 December 2003
Enclosure 2
SCHEDULE 11
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND CONNECTED PERSONS
1) Name of company
BT Group plc
2. Name of Director
Sir Christopher Bland
Ben Verwaayen
Ian Livingston
Pierre Danon
Andy Green
Paul Reynolds
3) Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of
holding of the shareholder name in 2 above or in respect of a non-beneficial
interest or in the case of an individual holder if it is a holding of that
person's spouse or children under the age of 18 or in respect of a
non-beneficial interest.
Adjustment in technical interest of the above directors
4) Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the number
of shares held by each of them (if notified)
Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited
5) Please state whether notification relates to a person(s) connected with
the Director named in 2 above and identify the connected person(s)
n/a
6) Please state the nature of the transaction. For PEP transactions please
indicated whether general/single company PEP and if discretionary/non
discretionary
Adjustment in technical interest of the above directors
7) Number of shares/amount of stock acquired:
n/a
8) Percentage of issued class
n/a
9) Number of shares/amount of stock disposed
Sale of 7,500 BT Group shares by Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited as Trustee of
the BT Group Employee Share Ownership Trust.
10) Percentage of issued class
n/a
11) Class of security
Ordinary shares of 5p each
12) Price per share
GBP1.7625
13. Date of transaction
03 December 2003
14) Date Company informed
04 December 2003
15) Total holding following this notification
n/a
16) Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
n/a
If a director has been granted options by the company please complete the
following details (17 - 22)
17) Date of grant
n/a
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
n/a
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
n/a
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
n/a
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is
to be fixed at time of exercise
n/a
22. Total number of shares or debentures over which options held following this
notification
No change
23) Any additional information
The above named Directors have technical interests, as at 04 December 2003 under
Section 13 of the Companies Act as follows:
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
99,778 Ordinary Shares held by the Trustee, Halifax Corporate Trustees
Limited;
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
30,488,150 Ordinary Shares held by Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited in
respect of contingent awards under executive share plans;
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
John Challis 020 7356 4086
25) Name of signature or authorised company official responsible for making
this notification
John Challis
Date of Notification: 04 December 2003
Enclosure 3
December 8, 2003
BT wins multi-million pound NHS Care Records Service contract
BT today welcomed the fact that it has been awarded a 10-year contract, worth
GBP620 million, with the Department of Health as part of the NHS National
Programme for IT. As a National Application Service Provider, BT will design,
deliver and manage a national patient record database and transactional
messaging service which is critical to the NHS Care Records Service.
Sir Christopher Bland, BT's Chairman, said: "We are delighted to have been
chosen by the NHS to deliver a key part of the National Programme for IT, one of
the biggest and most ambitious healthcare IT projects in the world. The
technology in our solution and our expertise will help to provide real benefits
to NHS patients and staff. It will improve the working lives of nurses and
doctors, offering easy and secure access to patient records. We look forward to
working with the NHS to make this programme a powerful force for improving
patient care."
Ben Verwaayen, BT's Chief Executive Officer, said "These wins are BT's biggest
ever, and evidence of the new face of BT truly emerging. This is BT taking on
world class competition on its own territory and winning".
The database will hold electronic summary patient records. These secure records
will be shared nationally with clinicians and medical practitioners dependent on
their access authority. Patients will no longer be required to repeat
information about their medical history at different stages of the care process.
By ensuring that the right information about a patient is in the right place at
the right time, BT's solution will help the NHS extract greater value from its
investments and deliver a better service.
BT is the prime contractor and will deliver and operate the service through
Syntegra - its systems integration subsidiary.
Working in association with BT are other companies with world-class experience
in the development, deployment and operation of healthcare IT systems including
Oracle, Sun Microsystems and LogicaCMG.
Tim Smart, chief executive of Syntegra, commented: "We share the government's
vision of the NHS as a world-class patient care provider and our people and the
expert partners we have chosen to work with are committed to making that vision
a reality."
BT is a leading provider of integrated business systems and the largest supplier
of ICT services to the NHS:
NHSnet, Europe's largest private secure network, and the NHS Messaging Service,
which delivers more than one million emails, prescriptions and clinical records
each day, have together enabled NHS people to exchange and access information
quickly - a vital contribution to effective healthcare.
The NHS Numbers For Babies service ensures that within minutes of a baby's birth
midwives can obtain their all-important NHS number. This unique identifier forms
the basis of a lifelong electronic care record, eliminates incomplete or muddled
sets of information and helps ensure prompt and appropriate care for infants
right from birth.
BT technology underpins NHS Direct, which has provided help and advice on health
matters to more than five million citizens.
NHS24 is another example of national programmes delivered and managed by BT for
the benefit of NHS people and patients.
The database and messaging service will work with the systems provided within
NHS organisations by Local Service Providers established as part of the National
Programme for IT. The data to be managed will range from GP consultations to
hospital discharge summaries. In addition the service will enable the electronic
transfer of prescriptions and the continued monitoring of prescriptions being
issued. It will also enable the introduction of electronic appointment booking
in the summer of 2004.
Richard Granger, Director General of NHS IT says "I am delighted that we are now
working with BT in implementing such an important element of the National
Programme for IT, which will provide every patient with an individual NHS Care
Record.
"BT's commitment to this project has been clearly demonstrated throughout the
procurement process and I look forward to working with them to deliver a
world-class solution to patients and healthcare professionals alike."
Notes to editors
About BT Group
BT Group plc is the listed holding company for an integrated group of businesses
providing voice, data and video services in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
British Telecommunications plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group, holds
virtually all businesses and assets of the BT group.
BT is one of Europe's leading providers of telecommunications services. Its
principal activities include local, national and international
telecommunications services, higher-value broadband and internet products and
services, and IT solutions. In the UK, BT serves over 20 million business and
residential customers with more than 29 million exchange lines, as well as
providing network services to other licensed operators.
BT consists principally of three lines of business:
- BT Retail, serving businesses and residential customers and including
BT Openworld, one of the UK's leading ISPs.
- BT Wholesale, providing network services and solutions within the UK,
including ADSL, conveyance, transit, bulk delivery of private circuits,
frame relay and ISDN connections.
- BT Global Services, BT's managed services and solutions provider,
serving multi-site organisations worldwide. Its core target market is
the top 10,000 global multi-site organisations with European operations.
There are a number of other businesses within the BT group, including BT Exact,
an internationally renowned centre of excellence in IT and networking
technologies. It is also BT's technology and research and development business.
In the year ended 31 March 2003, BT's turnover was GBP18,727 million with profit
before taxation of GBP1,829 million.
For more information, visit www.bt.com
About Syntegra
Syntegra is part of BT Group. It plays a key role in BT's ICT strategy as its
expert in systems integration.
Syntegra employs more than 5000 business and technical professionals worldwide.
In the financial year ending 30 March 2003 Syntegra reported revenues of GBP623
million.
Syntegra helps organisations transform the way that they operate by applying
business knowledge and technology to make possible new and better ways of
working.
Its primary activity is the provision of consultancy and systems integration
services including change management, complex programme management and custom
systems design, development and operation.
About Oracle
Oracle is the world's largest enterprise software company. For more information
about Oracle, visit Oracle's website at www.oracle.com.
About Sun Microsystems
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision - "The Network Is The Computer" -
has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) to its position as a leading
provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that make the
Net work. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and at www.sun.com. Sun
Microsystems will provide the infrastructure for the project, comprising Sun
servers, Sun storage, Solaris operating environment and SunOne software,
including the application server. The infrastructure operational management of
the project will be the responsibility of Sun Microsystems.
About LogicaCMG
LogicaCMG is a major international force in IT services and wireless telecoms.
It provides management and IT consultancy, systems integration and outsourcing
services to clients across diverse markets including telecoms, financial
services, energy and utilities, industry, distribution and transport and the
public sector. Formed in December 2002, through the merger of Logica and CMG,
the company employs around 21,000 staff in offices across 34 countries and has
nearly 40 years of experience in IT services. Headquartered in Europe, LogicaCMG
is listed on both the London and Amsterdam stock exchanges (LSE: LOG; AEX: LOG).
For Spine, LogicaCMG will develop the core database application to store and
update the national patient records.
More information is available from www.logicacmg.com
Contacts:
Karen Rogers Barry Murphy
Syntegra Syntegra
+44 (0)1252 778061 Tel: +44 (0)1252 777243
karen.rogers@syntegra.com barry.murphy@syntegra.com
Enclosure 4
December 8, 2003
BT wins multi-million pound NHS Care Records Service contract
BT today welcomed the fact that it has been awarded a 10-year contract, worth
GBP620 million, with the Department of Health as part of the NHS National
Programme for IT. As a National Application Service Provider, BT will design,
deliver and manage a national patient record database and transactional
messaging service which is critical to the NHS Care Records Service.
Sir Christopher Bland, BT's Chairman, said: "We are delighted to have been
chosen by the NHS to deliver a key part of the National Programme for IT, one of
the biggest and most ambitious healthcare IT projects in the world. The
technology in our solution and our expertise will help to provide real benefits
to NHS patients and staff. It will improve the working lives of nurses and
doctors, offering easy and secure access to patient records. We look forward to
working with the NHS to make this programme a powerful force for improving
patient care."
Ben Verwaayen, BT's Chief Executive Officer, said "These wins are BT's biggest
ever, and evidence of the new face of BT truly emerging. This is BT taking on
world class competition on its own territory and winning".
The database will hold electronic summary patient records. These secure records
will be shared nationally with clinicians and medical practitioners dependent on
their access authority. Patients will no longer be required to repeat
information about their medical history at different stages of the care process.
By ensuring that the right information about a patient is in the right place at
the right time, BT's solution will help the NHS extract greater value from its
investments and deliver a better service.
BT is the prime contractor and will deliver and operate the service through
Syntegra - its systems integration subsidiary.
Working in association with BT are other companies with world-class experience
in the development, deployment and operation of healthcare IT systems including
Oracle, Sun Microsystems and LogicaCMG.
Tim Smart, chief executive of Syntegra, commented: "We share the government's
vision of the NHS as a world-class patient care provider and our people and the
expert partners we have chosen to work with are committed to making that vision
a reality."
BT is a leading provider of integrated business systems and the largest supplier
of ICT services to the NHS:
NHSnet, Europe's largest private secure network, and the NHS Messaging Service,
which delivers more than one million emails, prescriptions and clinical records
each day, have together enabled NHS people to exchange and access information
quickly - a vital contribution to effective healthcare.
The NHS Numbers For Babies service ensures that within minutes of a baby's birth
midwives can obtain their all-important NHS number. This unique identifier forms
the basis of a lifelong electronic care record, eliminates incomplete or muddled
sets of information and helps ensure prompt and appropriate care for infants
right from birth.
BT technology underpins NHS Direct, which has provided help and advice on health
matters to more than five million citizens.
NHS24 is another example of national programmes delivered and managed by BT for
the benefit of NHS people and patients.
The database and messaging service will work with the systems provided within
NHS organisations by Local Service Providers established as part of the National
Programme for IT. The data to be managed will range from GP consultations to
hospital discharge summaries. In addition the service will enable the electronic
transfer of prescriptions and the continued monitoring of prescriptions being
issued. It will also enable the introduction of electronic appointment booking
in the summer of 2004.
Richard Granger, Director General of NHS IT says "I am delighted that we are now
working with BT in implementing such an important element of the National
Programme for IT, which will provide every patient with an individual NHS Care
Record.
"BT's commitment to this project has been clearly demonstrated throughout the
procurement process and I look forward to working with them to deliver a
world-class solution to patients and healthcare professionals alike."
Notes to editors
About BT Group
BT Group plc is the listed holding company for an integrated group of businesses
providing voice, data and video services in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
British Telecommunications plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group, holds
virtually all businesses and assets of the BT group.
BT is one of Europe's leading providers of telecommunications services. Its
principal activities include local, national and international
telecommunications services, higher-value broadband and internet products and
services, and IT solutions. In the UK, BT serves over 20 million business and
residential customers with more than 29 million exchange lines, as well as
providing network services to other licensed operators.
BT consists principally of three lines of business:
- BT Retail, serving businesses and residential customers and including
BT Openworld, one of the UK's leading ISPs.
- BT Wholesale, providing network services and solutions within the UK,
including ADSL, conveyance, transit, bulk delivery of private circuits,
frame relay and ISDN connections.
- BT Global Services, BT's managed services and solutions provider,
serving multi-site organisations worldwide. Its core target market is
the top 10,000 global multi-site organisations with European operations.
There are a number of other businesses within the BT group, including BT Exact,
an internationally renowned centre of excellence in IT and networking
technologies. It is also BT's technology and research and development business.
In the year ended 31 March 2003, BT's turnover was GBP18,727 million with profit
before taxation of GBP1,829 million.
For more information, visit www.bt.com
About Syntegra
Syntegra is part of BT Group. It plays a key role in BT's ICT strategy as its
expert in systems integration.
Syntegra employs more than 5000 business and technical professionals worldwide.
In the financial year ending 30 March 2003 Syntegra reported revenues of GBP623
million.
Syntegra helps organisations transform the way that they operate by applying
business knowledge and technology to make possible new and better ways of
working.
Its primary activity is the provision of consultancy and systems integration
services including change management, complex programme management and custom
systems design, development and operation.
About Oracle
Oracle is the world's largest enterprise software company. For more information
about Oracle, visit Oracle's website at www.oracle.com.
About Sun Microsystems
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision - "The Network Is The Computer" -
has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) to its position as a leading
provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that make the
Net work. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and at www.sun.com. Sun
Microsystems will provide the infrastructure for the project, comprising Sun
servers, Sun storage, Solaris operating environment and SunOne software,
including the application server. The infrastructure operational management of
the project will be the responsibility of Sun Microsystems.
About LogicaCMG
LogicaCMG is a major international force in IT services and wireless telecoms.
It provides management and IT consultancy, systems integration and outsourcing
services to clients across diverse markets including telecoms, financial
services, energy and utilities, industry, distribution and transport and the
public sector. Formed in December 2002, through the merger of Logica and CMG,
the company employs around 21,000 staff in offices across 34 countries and has
nearly 40 years of experience in IT services. Headquartered in Europe, LogicaCMG
is listed on both the London and Amsterdam stock exchanges (LSE: LOG; AEX: LOG).
For Spine, LogicaCMG will develop the core database application to store and
update the national patient records.
More information is available from www.logicacmg.com
Contacts:
Karen Rogers Barry Murphy
Syntegra Syntegra
+44 (0)1252 778061 Tel: +44 (0)1252 777243
karen.rogers@syntegra.com barry.murphy@syntegra.com
Enclosure 5
December 8, 2003
BT wins multi-million pound NHS contract for London
BT today welcomed the fact that that it has been awarded a ten-year contract,
worth GBP996 million over the next ten years, by the Department of Health as
part of the NHS National Programme for IT. As Local Service Provider for London,
BT will design, deliver and operate integrated local patient record applications
and systems for the whole London care community.
Sir Christopher Bland, BT's Chairman, said: "We are delighted to have been
chosen by the NHS to deliver a key part of the National Programme for IT, one of
the biggest and most ambitious healthcare IT projects in the world. Our
technology and expertise will help to provide real benefits to NHS patients and
staff. It will improve the working lives of nurses and doctors, offering easy
and secure access to patient records. We look forward to working with the NHS to
make this programme a powerful force for improving patient care."
Ben Verwaayen, BT's Chief Executive Officer, said "These wins are BT's biggest
ever, and evidence of the new face of BT truly emerging. This is BT taking on
world class competition on its own territory and winning".
When fully implemented the NHS Care Records Service will enable NHS
organisations to record and exchange patient and care information
electronically, eliminating duplication of patient files and improving
information-sharing between healthcare professionals.
BT is the prime contractor and will deliver and operate the service through
Syntegra - its systems integration subsidiary. It will work with a number of
companies with world-class experience in the development, deployment and
operation of healthcare IT systems.
Tim Smart, chief executive of Syntegra, commented: "We share the government's
vision of the NHS as a world-class patient care provider and our people and the
expert partners we have chosen to work with are committed to making that vision
a reality."
BT is a leading provider of integrated business systems and the largest supplier
of ICT services to the NHS:
NHSnet, Europe's largest private secure network, and the NHS Messaging Service,
which delivers more than one million emails, prescriptions and clinical records
each day, have together enabled NHS people to exchange and access information
quickly - a vital contribution to effective healthcare.
The NHS Numbers For Babies service ensures that within minutes of a baby's birth
midwives can obtain their all-important NHS number. This unique identifier forms
the basis of a lifelong electronic care record, eliminates incomplete or muddled
sets of information and helps ensure prompt and appropriate care for infants
right from birth.
BT technology underpins NHS Direct, which has provided help and advice on health
matters to more than five million citizens.
NHS24 is another example of national programmes delivered and managed by BT for
the benefit of NHS people and patients.
In London BT is currently delivering services to Guy's & St Thomas' Hospital,
Camden Primary Care Trust, Islington Primary Care Trust and University College
Hospital. BT is also providing data networks for Inner West London and East
London and a local area network at Central Middlesex Hospital.
The NHS Care Records Service will work with the national applications being
developed as part of the National Programme for IT. These include a nationally
accessible patient record database, the electronic transfer of prescriptions and
the introduction of electronic appointment booking in the summer of 2004.
Richard Granger, Director General of NHS IT says "I am delighted that we are now
working with BT in implementing such an important element of the National
Programme for IT, which will provide every patient an individual NHS Care
Record.
"BT's commitment to this project has been clearly demonstrated throughout the
procurement process and I look forward to working with them to deliver a
world-class solution to patients and healthcare professionals alike."
Notes to Editors:
For the provision of IT systems and services by LSPs, England has been grouped
into five geographic regions. The London region houses many leading teaching
hospitals and a diverse population with widely varying incomes.
About BT
BT Group plc is the listed holding company for an integrated group of businesses
providing voice, data and video services in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
British Telecommunications plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group, holds
virtually all businesses and assets of the BT group.
BT is one of Europe's leading providers of telecommunications services. Its
principal activities include local, national and international
telecommunications services, higher-value broadband and internet products and
services, and IT solutions. In the UK, BT serves over 20 million business and
residential customers with more than 29 million exchange lines, as well as
providing network services to other licensed operators.
BT consists principally of three lines of business:
- BT Retail, serving businesses and residential customers and including BT
Openworld, one of the UK's leading ISPs.
- BT Wholesale, providing network services and solutions within the UK,
including ADSL, conveyance, transit, bulk delivery of private circuits,
frame relay and ISDN connections.
- BT Global Services, BT's managed services and solutions provider, serving
multi-site organisations worldwide. Its core target market is the top 10,000
global multi-site organisations with European operations.
There are a number of other businesses within the BT group, including BT Exact,
an internationally renowned centre of excellence in IT and networking
technologies. It is also BT's technology and research and development business.
In the year ended 31 March 2003, BT's turnover was GBP18,727 million with profit
before taxation of GBP1,829 million.
For more information, visit www.bt.com
About Syntegra
Syntegra is part of BT Group. It plays a key role in BT's ICT strategy as its
expert in systems integration.
Syntegra employs more than 5000 business and technical professionals worldwide.
In the financial year ending 30 March 2003 Syntegra reported revenues of GBP623
million.
Syntegra helps organisations transform the way that they operate by applying
business knowledge and technology to make possible new and better ways of
working.
Its primary activity is the provision of consultancy and systems integration
services including change management, complex programme management and custom
systems design, development and operation.
Enclosure 6
SCHEDULE 11
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND CONNECTED PERSONS
1) Name of company
BT Group plc
2. Name of Director
Paul Reynolds
3) Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of holding
of the shareholder name in 2 above or in respect of a non-beneficial interest or
in the case of an individual holder if it is a holding of that person's spouse
or children under the age of 18 or in respect of a non-beneficial interest.
Director in 2) above
4) Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the number of
shares held by each of them (if notified)
Halifax Corporate Trustees Limited (as Trustee of the BT Group Employee Share
Investment Plan).
5) Please state whether notification relates to a person(s) connected with
the Director named in 2 above and identify the connected person(s)
n/a
6) Please state the nature of the transaction. For PEP transactions please
indicated whether general/single co PEP and if discretionary/non discretionary
Monthly purchase of shares under the terms of the BT Group Employee Share
Investment Plan.
7) Number of shares/amount of stock acquired:
Purchase of 70 shares at 177.5p per share.
8) Percentage of issued class
n/a
9) Number of shares/amount of stock disposed
n/a
10) Percentage of issued class
n/a
11) Class of security
Ordinary shares of 5p each
12) Price per share
177.5p
13. Date of transaction
12 December 2003
14) Date Company informed
12 December 2003
15) Total holding following this notification
Paul Reynolds:
1. 46,616 ordinary shares - personal holding;
2. 151,407 ordinary shares under BT Incentive Share Plan - contingent award;
3. 154,013 shares under BT Group Deferred Bonus Plan;
4. 11,824 shares under BT Executive Share Plan - contingent award;
5. Options over 4,555 shares under BT Group Employee Sharesave Scheme;
6. Options over 1,457,124 shares under BT Group Global Share Option Plan.
16) Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
n/a
If a director has been granted options by the company please complete the
following boxes
17) Date of grant
n/a
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
n/a
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
n/a
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
n/a
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is
to be fixed at time of exercise
n/a
22. Total number of shares or debentures over which options held following this
notification
n/a
23) Any additional information
The above named Director has a technical interest, as at 15 December 2003 under
Section 13 of the Companies Act as follows:
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
99,778 Ordinary Shares held by the Trustee, Halifax Corporate Trustees
Limited;
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
30,488,150 Ordinary Shares held by Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited in
respect of contingent awards under executive share plans;
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
John Challis, 020 7356 4086
25) Name of signature or authorised company official responsible for making
this notification
John Challis
Date of Notification: 15 December 2003
Enclosure 7
SCHEDULE 11
NOTIFICATION OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND CONNECTED PERSONS
1) Name of company
BT Group plc
2. Name of Director
Sir Christopher Bland
Ben Verwaayen
Ian Livingston
Pierre Danon
Andy Green
Paul Reynolds
3) Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of
holding of the shareholder name in 2 above or in respect of a non-beneficial
interest or in the case of an individual holder if it is a holding of that
person's spouse or children under the age of 18 or in respect of a
non-beneficial interest.
Adjustment in technical interest of the above directors
4) Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the number
of shares held by each of them (if notified)
Halifax Corporate Trustees Ltd
5) Please state whether notification relates to a person(s) connected with
the Director named in 2 above and identify the connected person(s)
n/a
6) Please state the nature of the transaction. For PEP transactions please
indicated whether general/single company PEP and if discretionary/non
discretionary
Adjustment in technical interest of the above directors
7) Number of shares/amount of stock acquired:
Recovery of 3,272 BT Group shares by Halifax Corporate Trustees Limited as
Trustee of the BT Group Employee Share Investment Plan from awards made to
non-eligible individuals.
8) Percentage of issued class
n/a
9) Number of shares/amount of stock disposed
n/a
10) Percentage of issued class
n/a
11) Class of security
Ordinary shares of 5p each
12) Price per share
n/a
13. Date of transaction
12 December 2003
14) Date Company informed
15 December 2003
15) Total holding following this notification
n/a
16) Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
n/a
If a director has been granted options by the company please complete the
following details (17 - 22)
17) Date of grant
n/a
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
n/a
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
n/a
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
n/a
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price is
to be fixed at time of exercise
n/a
22. Total number of shares or debentures over which options held following this
notification
No change
23) Any additional information
The above named Directors have technical interests, as at 15 December 2003 under
Section 13 of the Companies Act as follows:
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
103,050 Ordinary Shares held by the Trustee, Halifax Corporate Trustees
Limited;
- A technical interest, together with all employees of BT Group plc in
30,488,150 Ordinary Shares held by Ilford Trustees (Jersey) Limited in
respect of contingent awards under executive share plans;
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
John Challis 020 7356 4086
25) Name of signature or authorised company official responsible for making
this notification
John Challis
Date of Notification: 15 December 2003
Enclosure 8
NR0352 December 17, 2003
BT SELLS STAKE IN INMARSAT
BT today announced that it has sold its 7.8 % stake in Inmarsat Ventures plc to
Grapeclose Limited, a company indirectly controlled by funds advised by Apax
Partners and Permira. Total cash consideration will be $118m.
----------------------------
Notes to editors:
BT acquired its stake in Inmarsat in April 1999 on the privatisation of the
former intergovernmental organisation. Inmarsat is a leading provider of global
mobile satellite communications services. The sale follows a competitive auction
process managed by Inmarsat and its shareholders, culminating in the recommended
offer from Apax Partners and Permira at $15 per share.
Inquiries about this news release should be made to the BT Group Newsroom on
its 24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK, dial + 44 20 7356 5369.
All BT Group news releases can be accessed at our web site:
www.btplc.com/mediacentre
Enclosure 9
19 December 2003
NSB Retail Systems PLC BT Group plc
Sale of NSB's UK Operations to BT and exclusive Distribution Agreement
The Boards of NSB Retail Systems PLC and BT Group plc announce that they have
reached agreement for BT to acquire NSB's principal UK operations for cash
consideration of GBP17.0 million and to become NSB's exclusive distributor in
the UK and Ireland.
The principal terms of the Transaction are:
- BT will acquire most of the UK business assets of NSB in a cash deal worth
GBP17.0 million.
- BT will become NSB's exclusive distributor in the UK and Ireland.
- BT will become NSB's non-exclusive distributor in other territories in
Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
- BT will take responsibility for NSB's rights and obligations under its
existing customer agreements.
- 148 NSB employees will transfer to BT.
- NSB and BT will work together in the future to develop new products and
services for retailers of all sizes.
- NSB will retain all the rights in its existing and future software.
- NSB will receive licence and support fees from BT based on BT's sales of
NSB software.
- 10% of the consideration (GBP1.7 million) will be retained to be paid
contingent on achieving specified transition milestones, and the total
consideration amount may be adjusted to reflect working capital movements
prior to closing. An adjustment will be made if the working capital deficit
is greater than GBP1.0 million or if there is any working capital surplus.
- The Transaction is subject to the approval of NSB shareholders at an
extraordinary general meeting to be held on 5 January 2004. Shareholders
owning 54.4 per cent. of NSB's shares have irrevocably undertaken to vote in
favour of the Resolution.
NSB's UK Business provides professional software and systems integration
services to many of the UK's most significant retailers. It supports and
implements an end-to-end product set for its customers, including:
- Store products - point of sales systems for the processing and
reconciliation of transactions for both front of store and back office.
- Enterprise products - business analysis, planning and optimisation tools
used in retailers' merchandising, planning, sourcing and customer
relationship management processes.
NSB's UK Business has a strong and long-standing customer base in the UK and
Ireland, including Arcadia, Lloyds Pharmacy, BhS, Oasis, WH Smith, Woolworths,
Brown Thomas, Roches Stores, Monsoon and Austin Reed.
The Board of NSB believes that this new distribution agreement in the UK and
Europe, with a partner as strong and well positioned as BT, provides the
opportunity to expand and better service its retail customers without increasing
its cost base.
The expertise acquired from NSB will be centred in a new BT business unit to be
called BT Expedite. This business will offer dedicated retail capabilities to
support BT's extensive sales teams, ensuring customers benefit from a fully
integrated product and service portfolio.
Building on its strengths in information and communications technology (ICT), BT
in partnership with NSB will be able to offer retail companies an enhanced
portfolio of solutions. As a one-stop-shop for retailers, BT aims to combine its
network, hosting and "Syntegra" systems integration services with NSB's
professional support skills, to meet its customers' strategic system development
demands.
Now one supplier will be able to meet retailers' full ICT needs. BT has a strong
track record in the retail sector and already includes the vast majority of
retail businesses amongst its customers; NSB's unmatched position at the heart
of those retailers' information systems will enable BT to drive this business
forward.
The Transaction will allow NSB to focus its resources on its software
development business and on the continued growth of its North American markets
whilst reviewing the opportunities to appoint other suitably qualified
distributors in support of its global vision. The majority of the cash proceeds
of the Transaction will be used to pay down debt.
The UK Business generated revenues of GBP11.0 million and earnings before
interest and tax of GBP3.3 million for the six months to 30 June 2003. Under the
terms of the Distribution Agreement, a material proportion of these earnings
would have been receivable by NSB in respect of royalty payments from software
licences, had the Distribution Agreement been effective during this period. The
book value of the net assets of the UK Business was GBP1.7 million at 30 June
2003. BT will enter into a sub-lease with NSB for the principal UK property.
Nikki Beckett, CEO of NSB, said: "We are delighted to be able to strengthen our
position in the important UK market and gain enhanced access to the European
market through this strategic relationship with BT. BT is committed to the
retail sector and to our customers and employees. The consideration from this
transaction will also strengthen our balance sheet, providing NSB with a sound
base from which to grow."
Pierre Danon, Chief Executive of BT Retail, said: "This acquisition demonstrates
BT's commitment to the retail market and to ICT. BTExpedite will enable us to
deliver a broad range of integrated professional and communications services,
tailored specifically for retail customers. BT will now be able to help
retailers transform their business operations, enabling an improved customer
experience and reduced operating costs."
Contacts:
NSB Retail Systems PLC 0118 930 1522
Nikki Beckett, Chief Executive
Stuart Mitchell, Finance Director
BT Group plc
John Carter 020 7356 4523
Mike Jarvis 020 7356 6045
or via the BT Newsroom on its 24 hour number, 020 7356 5369
About NSB
NSB is a dedicated supplier of software products and services to the retail
market. NSB helps retailers gain a sustainable competitive advantage in today's
highly competitive markets with the Connected Retailer(R). This comprehensive
portfolio includes innovative solutions, products, and services for every area
of retailing: Planning, Sourcing and Product Development, Merchandising, Store,
Sales Analytics, and CRM, plus Hardware, Professional Services, and Client Care.
They are used by more than 350 of the world's leading retailers to streamline
processes, optimize information, and meet the evolving merchandise and service
expectations of multi-channel shoppers.
About BT
BT is one of Europe's leading providers of telecommunications services. Its
principal activities include local, national and international
telecommunications services, higher-value broadband and internet products and
services, and IT solutions. In the UK, BT serves over 20 million business and
residential customers with more than 29 million exchange lines, as well as
providing network services to other licensed operators.
In the year ended 31 March 2003, BT's turnover was GBP18,727 million with profit
before taxation of GBP1,829 million. For more information, visit www.BT.com.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BT Group PLC
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Patricia Day
--------------------
Patricia Day, Assistant Secretary. Head of Shareholder Services
Date 24 December 2003