Associated Computer Personnel Plc, a new employment agency for freelance data processors to be based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, is seeking to raise UKP500,000 under the Business Expansion Scheme. The company already has a database with 500 freelance contractors on it and intends to offer its service to a wide range of industries including banking, insurance and other service sectors. There are no reliable statistics available for the number of freelance data processors operating in the UK but the company believes there are some 18,000 of which it plans to achieve a market share of 1%. As regards clients, the company is optimistic that its commercial director, Andronicus Zervides, will be able to place its name on many company lists. Zervides owns a software house called Information Retrieval Consultants (Europe) Ltd which offers marketing and consultancy services to leading companies including three UK clearing banks, an international oil company and a Swedish car manufacturer. He is also a member of The Institute of Data Processing Management and a Fellow of The Institute of Analysts and Programmers. The company chairman, John Stavrou, is also no beginner to this type of business being the managing director of Pension & Advisory Centre Plc, a Member of the Financial Intermediaries, Managers & Brokers Regulatory Association whose clients include a significant number of freelance contractors. Between them the six directors have irrevocably committed to invest UKP55,000 and the issue is being sponsored by Choulartons Plc. The issue will cost 4.5% of all monies subs cribed, as well as a UKP7,500 sponsorship fee. The company has makes an illustrative projection that it will make a pre-tax profit in year one of UKP44,000, rising to UKP1.1m in year five. Shares, requiring a minimum investment of UKP1,000 are on offer from March 16 to April 5 and under the Business Expansion Scheme, investors get tax relief at their marginal rate and the shares are free from capital gains tax if held for five years before being sold. Associated Computer Personnel Plc hopes to start trading in April and claims for relief can be made after it has been in business four months. The prospectus is av ailable now from Choulartons, on London 283-7671.
