This is the £1m logo of the demerged Tarmac construction business, as modelled by the Carillion executive board: from left, Roger Robinson, John Sharples, Sir Neville Simms and Euan McEwan.

Designed by image consultant Enterprise IG it will appear on all company stationery, although signs on other assets, including Carillion vans, will take two to three years to be updated.

So, what does it mean? The leaf is a metaphor for "growing and sharing the environment", the star denotes aspiration, and the crescent-shaped blue pool connotes a reflection on the firm's traditions.

But while Tarmac is keen to shake off its image as an earth-digging giant, it is still being targeted by green activists.

One environmentalist group held up the extraordinary general meeting last week, spraying liquid manure around the room and soaking chairman Sir John Banham with milk.

Two smartly-dressed men carrying brief cases and shouting "earth rapists" dashed into the meeting in Birmingham and sprayed a foul-smelling liquid around the room. The meeting was delayed for half an hour while it was cleaned. The men were ejected. Then, as Tarmac directors chatted to shareholders, another man wearing a T-shirt and jeans threw milk over Sir John Banham's face and shirt.

Angry Tarmac pensioners led by former Tarmac director Sam Pickstock also protested about the Carillion pension fund. But all six resolutions surrounding the demerger proposals were passed.

  • Tarmac has briefed security staff and notified police forces around the country about a day of action by environmental activists on Saturday.