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This article is from the alt.usage.english FAQ, by Mark Israel misrael@scripps.edu with numerous contributions by others.

32 "company is" vs "company are" (Usage disputes - alt.usage.english)

Use of a plural verb after a singular noun denoting a group of
persons (known as a noun of multitude) is commoner in the U.K. than
in the U.S. Fowler wrote: ""The Cabinet "is" divided" is better,
because in the order of thought a whole must precede division; and
"The Cabinet "are" agreed" is better, because it takes two or more
to agree."

 

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