Consultant bids to break down language barrier

Stephen Chinn has become managing partner at Little Fidgets, the York-based provider of French and Spanish classes for under-sixes and their parents. The firm is run by his wife, Lucy Amos.

Mr Chinn ran the innovations group at CPP, where he introduced the identity protection business line which grew to 100m, before leaving in August 2007 to work in consultancy. He went on to launch an online events management service for the American Express global client group.

Mr Chinn said: "At Little Fidgets, our teachers provide delightful experiences for children and parents – and all while they learn a new language. The feedback from customers is fantastic and it will be a tremendously exciting challenge to make our classes more widely available."

The firm has a turnover target of 60,000 for the 12 months to April. It was founded in York in 2006 by Mrs Amos, a linguist and an experienced practitioner in early-years education, and has 13 teachers throughout Yorkshire.

She said: "Parents love being able to come and learn French and Spanish with their child, and the economic climate has really focused people on the need for a good education to give children a head-start."