A recruiter specialising in placing Chinese students with companies in the UK is gearing up for a stock market listing this week, and says the booming Chinese economy will help drive its growth.

Global Education Group is majority-owned by Hong Kong- based entrepreneur Johnny Hon but is planning to float this week on the lightly regulated PLUS market, formerly OFEX.

Global has just moved into new offices near Liverpool Street, London. Chief operating officer Jean Dong points to an exclusive relationship it has with the Ministry of Education in China, which controls the database of students in the UK.

 

There are currently 80,000 Chinese students in the UK. This will grow to some 140,000 by 2020, says the Ministry.

The Ministry wants Chinese students in the UK to gain practical experience, so they are better equipped for their first job in China. At the same time, UK companies, especially the growing number that are doing business in China, can benefit from having students who can speak Chinese.

"Imagine what it's like to be in a foreign country," Dong told Recruiter. "We hold their hands."

Dong said Chinese students can help UK firms win business in China by helping them understand certain cultural points. For example, a UK company might be comfortable using e-mail but the Chinese prefer personal contact - to have dinner and then talk. "Sometimes, they may have offended the company without knowing it," she says.

Global only started up last year. Dong is reluctant to reveal precise numbers of placements, but claims that thousands of students will soon benefit from its services, which include training. Reuters is among the companies to have expressed an interest in Global's services.

All 10 London-based staff are native Chinese speakers, including Dong, who also presents BBC World TV programmes broadcast in China.

Global is likely to have a market value of some £3m.