In Brief: Academic BES

A BUSINESS Expansion Scheme being launched by the University of the West of England (the former Bristol Poly) is offering investors pounds 1.19 back after five years for every pounds 1 gross invested now. For higher-rate taxpayers, this equates to an annualised return of 13.29 per cent. The minimum investment in the contracted exit scheme, West of England Residential, is pounds 2,000. Details from the sponsors, Capital Ventures, on 0242 584380.