<p><span class="s"><span>Countryside has begun the process of putting itself up for sale, following pressure from shareholders.</span></span></p> <p><span class="s"><span>The partnerships-focused housebuilder said today (June 13) that it had decided to “conduct an orderly process” of finding a bidder willing to offer a value for the company “that the board considers compelling relative to the long-term standalone prospects of Countryside as a listed company.”</span></span></p> <p><span class="s"><span>It added that if it failed to find such an offer, “</span></span><span class="w"><span>given the board's view of the significant potential for the business as a standalone entity,” it would remain an independent listed company.</span></span></p> <p><span class="w"><span>Countryside stated that any discussions with third parties regarding an offer would be undertaken “within the context of a formal sales process”, so that these conversations could take place confidentially.</span></span></p> <p><span class="w"><span>It has recognised Inclusive Capital, which holds a 9.2% stake in the business, as a potential bidder, with the </span></span><span>US-based investment management firm</span><span> wishing to participate in the formal sales process. Countryside said that it was currently not in discussions with any other companies on potential offers.</span></p> <p><span>Rothschild &amp; Co, the housebuilder’s lead financial adviser, will support the process. The preparatory work for the formal sale process is expected to take …