May 1 (Reuters) - Science Group on Thursday

said that it has requisitioned a general meeting of shareholders

at Ricardo to propose the removal of its Chairman Mark

Clare, ramping up calls for change at the British consulting

firm.

The UK-based science and technology consultancy firm, which

holds about 20% of Ricardo, has sought changes at Ricardo,

citing underperformance and structural inefficiencies. Its bid

to replace Clare and two other directors was rejected in March.

"In effect, the General Meeting requisition is a Vote of

No-Confidence in the leadership of the Ricardo Board," Science

Group said.

Science Group is also calling for a sale or breakup of

Ricardo, and on Thursday it said that it had been contacted by

several private equity groups about Ricardo, seeking to

understand its position as an investor.

The company said it would consider any interest in Ricardo

that was in the "best interests of all shareholders."

"While Science Group would support an immediate sale process

seeking offers for the whole of the Ricardo Group, shareholders

should not presume that Science Group would participate as a

potential acquiror in any such sale process since the risks are

high," it said.