BES funds for Oxbridge

THREE Business Expansion Schemes are being launched to raise money for Oxbridge colleges. The Cambridge College Consortium aims to raise nearly pounds 20m for Churchill College, Pembroke College and Trinity Hall. The scheme offers a fixed return equal to 13 per cent a year over the five-year period for higher-rate taxpayers.

The Residences at Oxford Companies plans to raise pounds 29m for St Hugh's, Edmund Hall, St Peter's, Exeter and Wadham.

Oriel Cash Backed is planning to raise pounds 4.6m. Investors are being promised an annualised return of 14 per cent from this contracted exit scheme.

Details: Cambridge College Consortium from Capital Ventures, 0242 584380; Residences at Oxford from Hodgson Martin, 031 226 7644; Oriel from Downing Corporate Finance, 071-411 4700.