Galliford Try won't go private

Galliford Try has denied weekend press claims that the group will be split in two or taken private.

The Sunday Times claimed that Galliford Try directors, thought to include chief executive David Calverley, have held exploratory talks with private equity groups about a number of strategic options.

These options, the newspaper claimed, include splitting the group into its housebuilding and contracting arms or a management buy-out. The newspaper noted that housebuilding division has thirved, while the contracting business has been "disappointing".

A statement issued to the Stock Exchange this morning said: "The directors confirm that there is no truth in the weekend press speculation that they intend to take the company private or effect a split of the operating businesses."