ONE of Wales' fastest growing companies is moving to a new purpose-built headquarters at Nantgarw, north of Cardiff.

FD Systems has doubled its sales of financial and management systems software each year since its launch in 1997.

To handle further growth, FD, which also has offices in Oxford and London, is planning to move and expand its Cardiff office into a 'bespoke' new headquarters now under construction at Nantgarw Business Park.

Staff numbers will grow from 30 to 40.

Development of the company's new base is being assisted by grant aid from the Welsh Assembly Government and a loan from Finance Wales. The WDA Business Support team helped FD gain financial backing and find a suitable location.

Geoff Thomas, FD's managing director,said: "We've enjoyed an excellent year. We've expanded into markets throughout the UK and Ireland and we are now well-placed to service central London and the M4 corridor from our offices in London and Oxford.

"Charnwood Court, at Nantgarw, will in future be our headquarters and a centre for servicing our South Wales client base. The offices have been carefully designed to accommodate an expanding working team and we want to create employment opportunities there for people from the local community."

FD Systems specialise in Sage accounting software and awards gained by the company last year included Sage's "2001 Business Partner of the Year".

*PICTURED: From left, Geoff Thomas, managing director, Dick Forest, customer sales director, and David Davies, business support director, Welsh Development Agency.