AN INTERNATIONAL banker has traded APR for DIY by becoming the first franchisee of a home maintenance company which forbids its employees from calling women "love" and accepting cuppas on the job.

Andy Foulds, 55, will be covering the north Hampshire and West Berkshire area as a franchisee of 0800handyman - a firm that aims to revolutionise the industry by providing a fast and professional service at sensible prices.

The company, launched three years ago, is already well-established in London and Winchester, and the managing director expects the firm's turnover to double this year from £500,000 to more than £1million.

Employees are banned from calling women "love" and accepting cups of tea while they are working, and they must ensure dust sheets are down before they start. The company charges £30 for the first half-hour and £15 for each half-hour after that.

Mr Foulds' previous work took him to the American Bank of Hawaii in Honolulu - but he has no qualms about his new role.

The Newbury resident, who worked as a banker for 30 years, said: "I was very keen for a lifestyle change and discovering 0800handyman gave me the motivation I needed.

"I wanted to do something different, something that would challenge me and that I felt I could make a really good go of. I have always enjoyed DIY and have done a lot of it over the years, including extending my own house when I lived in the United States."

Mr Foulds found out about franchise opportunities with the firm after spotting details on the website www.businessesforsale.com

He said: "Starting a handyman franchise seemed like a logical progression with my interest in DIY. I liked the idea of buying into a franchise because I'm buying the knowledge and package of an established company."

He will start out as a handyman himself but plans to recruit up to 10 staff to join his team during the course of the next two years. Handymen get about in London on branded scooters and elsewhere in Mini Coopers.

0800handyman is one of a number of companies in the country to have an alphanumerical phone name to help customers recall their number - i.e. the numbers which follow 0800 spell out "handym" on a telephone keypad.

To find out more, call 0800 426396 or log on to www.0800handyman.co.uk