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Brian Souter and Ann Gloag

Stagecoach, the Perth-based transport group, is bidding with its partner Virgin to take over the rail franchise for the East Coast main line from GNER. In the first half of 2006-07 it unveiled profits of £77.4m, up from £57.9m on sales up 15% at £752.1m. Souter, 52, and his sister Gloag, 64, have a £427m stake. They also own 40% of Alexander Dennis, a bus builder that is easily worth £100m. Stagecoach is paying out £700m to shareholders in 2007, which will mean another £280m for Souter and Gloag. With other assets, we value the pair at £770m after tax.