A BUSINESS school in the region is hoping to emulate the success of North-East sporting teams by training the industry leaders of the future.

Sunderland University is working with business coaching company soundbusiness to find commerce's answer to Bobby Robson, Mick McCarthy, Steve McClaren and Rob Andrew.

The partnership has created a programme where people can study for a postgraduate diploma in coaching for organisational excellence.

The course, designed for those in business who are passionate about the development of others, starts next month with the programme's launch event taking place on Thursday, April 29, at the Sunderland Glass Centre.

Sean Murphy, soundbusiness' project design manager, said: "Coaching has until recently been one of the least exploited but most valuable forms of people development.

"The region's public and private sector organisations are now recognising this and are looking for ways to enhance their established training and development programmes through coaching."

For details, contact soundbusiness, on 0191-206 4004.