A Kingswinford firm specialising in software for eye specialists has received a £600,000 funding boost to increase its sales staff.

The package for Practice Management Services Ltd., provided by a consortium led by Catapult Venture Managers, also includes the appointment of Dean Butler, founder of Vision Express, as a non-executive director.

Meirion Jenkins, an experienced software sales director, also joins the Practice Management Services Ltd. management team.

Andy Chance-Hill, managing director of Practice Management Services Ltd., said: "The introduction of the funding will allow us to expand our sales force in a way that would never be possible organically.

"The real bonus to the deal is the introduction of Dean Butler, a very well known and respected name within the industry. His experience, contacts and commercial acumen will help us to grow the business more rapidly."

Syndicate backers included the £20 million Advantage Enterprise & Innovation Fund managed by Catapult Venture Managers and funded by Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund; the Advantage Growth Fund run by Midven; and a collection of private investors introduced by Advantage Business Angels.

PinsentMasons provide legal advice to Catapult, while Higgs & Co in Brierley Hill provided legal advice to Practice Management Services Ltd..

Practice Management Services Ltd. produces the See20/20 management software system which provides opticians with access to every aspect of their practice.

Ray Harris, investment director at Catapult Venture Managers, who led the consortium said: "We are always keen to provide growth capital to exciting businesses in the West Midlands."

Catapult is a leading regional private equity fund manager with one of the largest investment teams in the Midlands operating from offices in Birmingham and Nottingham.

Practice Management Services Ltd. is owned by the management team, the University of Birmingham, the Creative Fund West Midlands and other investors. It is claimed to be the only web-based practice management software available to the ophthalmic sector.

Published in The Birmingham Post - Business, 17th July 2006 and on 'The Post' website, here: http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/