Vodafone shareholders in line for record dividend over subsidiary sale

BELEAGUERED Vodafone shareholders were eyeing a potential £5 billion pay-day from the mobile phone company’s under-pressure chief executive.

The prospect of a record special dividend for a British company emerged after Arun Sarin indicated that the successful sale of Vodafone’s Japanese subsidiary would prompt it to consider the best way of returning cash to shareholders.

Mr Sarin is said to be facing investor unrest after a series of disappointing updates culminated last week with a warning that revenues growth may slow.