Mr Samir Naji is renowned within IT circles for his shrewd business sense. Mr Naji (37) set up Horizon 10 years ago with £40,000 he borrowed from his Egyptian father and Irish mother after they remortgaged the family home.

Most commonly described as "forthright", "ambitious" and "astute", Mr Naji's apparent youth did not stop him turning the small Apple Computer dealership he acquired into a £150 million business.

Educated at Cork's multi-denominational Midleton College, Mr Naji went on to study biochemistry at University College Cork. Described by one friend as "highly intelligent", he has been criticised by others for an occasional inability to compromise.

According to one associate: "He is not behind the door about saying what's on his mind." This has on occasion left his interpersonal skills wanting in the boardroom, but he has surrounded himself with a strong management team.

Sources close to the company say his hands-on approach elicits the best from his employees.

Speculation about Horizon's flotation has been widespread in recent years. Mr Naji's characteristic caution pulled him back from the brink on two previous occasions.

Although categorised as an IT company, Horizon bears very little resemblance to its counterparts which are publicly listing on an almost daily basis. Horizon has strong sales and earnings growth. For the last four years, it has doubled profits annually.

Mr Naji is married with two small children