ONE of the world's fastest-growing business franchises has been brought to Yorkshire by a Harrogate-based entrepreneur.

Action International, the 19th fastest growing franchise in the world, is being launched throughout the region by former chartered accountant Andrew Cussons, a business consultant known for launching new businesses and revitalising struggling ones.

Action International, founded in Australia six years ago, delivers one-to-one coaching in business management systems, sales and marketing through experienced business people. It helps almost 7,000 enterprises in 15 countries through more than 500 specially-trained coaches.

Mr Cussons, of Harrogate, who qualified as an accountant with Armitage and Norton, West Yorks, before it became part of KPMG, aims to assist 1,000 businesses throughout the region and establish a network of coaches. He has extensive small and medium enterprise sector experience, including start-ups, management buy-outs, buy-ins, turn-rounds, mergers and acquisitions and exits.

He said: "Action International is very exciting and offers measurable results on a weekly basis. It will become part of the business fabric of this region by delivering a dynamic new slant on proven business development techniques."

Updated: 09:38 Thursday, April 01, 2004