A BRITISH scientist who co-founded a company which designs and produces gas detection equipment was sitting on an £8.6 million sterling fortune after floating it on the stock market. Mr John Finbow, now managing director, together with fellow chemist and technical director, Dr Brian Hobbs, set up City Technology at City University in London in 1977.

It remained part of the university until 1993 when it was bought out for £24.5 million by the management team.