A CHANCE meeting on a train has helped fast track an Oldbury-born IT specialist to success and the belated publication of his self-help autobiography.

Philip Young bumped into performance coach and business author Bernie De Souza on his daily commute to London and eight weeks later was giving a talk at the Birmingham Mariot Hotel and launching his book 2 Much 2 Young, which he had written in 2007.

The book explains how to accept change and then apply proven solutions to both business and personal life.

Mr Young, who lived in Beeches Road and now lives in Kidderminster, said: "In my early career I quickly rose to IT director of a global logistics company and won a coveted CIO Innovator Award for the UK, but on leaving the company I lost my way a bit, went through a traumatic divorce and never really scaled the same company heights.”

He was doing consultancy work in London, which he hated, when he met Mr De Sousa, who gave him the confidence and impetus to communicate more effectively, develop his career path and income opportunities.

The 45-year-old said: “Bernie helped me formulate a business and finance plan and also utilised his extensive contacts network so I was able to produce an audio version of the book as well, plus a website to promote my new venture.”

The pair have teamed up to do mentoring and event business speaking, which they hope to deliver across the midlands and in London.