LOFTY the Lion was one of the personalities involved when a growing software company opened its new Bolton offices.

eXegeSys UK Ltd -- formerly the Business Solutions Division of the Westhoughton-based Riva Group -- needed new premises after the acquisition earlier this year by eXegeSys Inc of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Managing Director Diana San Juan considered various options, including moving out of town. But Liverpool-born Diana thinks Bolton is a great place and is delighted that a solution was found on nearby Wingates Industrial Estate.

A chance conversation with Tony Fox, Financial Director of The Bernstein Group, led to eXegeSys leasing the Design Centre building on the Bernstein site.

It has been transformed at a cost of £120,000 and offers the latest technology training and outsourcing facilities, plus other attractions like a customer cyber cafe.

Diana, who worked for Riva for 17 years, said: "We have operated in Bolton since 1978 and made excellent connections with many customers and suppliers at a local level, as well as clients nationwide.

"Bernstein Group have been extremely accommodating and played a large part in our decision to stay in Bolton."

She said the short move had minimised the effect on the staff of 32 and hoped there would be more jobs created as the business developed.