The Osprey consortium is made up of Australian, British and Canadian firms. These include Colonial First State Global Asset Management, a division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Canada Pension Investment Board, 3i group and Industry Funds Management Osprey.
Like many utility companies, AWG has attempted to diversify away from a core business which offers steady profits but has very limited potential for expansion, in its case through the acquisition in 2000 of the Scottish support service and construction group Morrison, which specialises in the utility, social housing, urban regeneration, education, health and transport sectors.
AWG's turnover for the year to 31 March 2005 was £1,690.1 million. Profits were £65.3 million before tax and £51.5 million after tax.