The prospects for Computer People Group Plc’s forthcoming placing and offer for sale (CI No 682) were boosted on Friday when rival P-E International – a 35% competitor according to Computer People finance director Richard Pinder, paid the Reliance Group Plc UKP8.5m for Inbucon Management Consultants, Inbucon International and John Evans Ltd; P-E is issuing 4.2m new shares to pay for the acquisition.