Norman Basson, founder of Premier Training International, has announced his retirement after a number of years working within the health and fitness industry.

Basson founded the training provider in 1992 and confirmed his decision to retire after unveiling the company's new £550,000 flagship academy, which opened in Finsbury Park, London, earlier this month. Formerly a physical educationalist, sports coach and physiotherapist in the Army Physical Training Corps, Basson has also run his own physiotherapy practice, health and fitness club and training centre.

Premier Training International chief executive Debra Stuart said: "Norman's passion has always been about delivering on quality and making people feel special. "Norman has built Premier into one of the UK's leading health and fitness training providers and it is fitting that his legacy is realised in the new London Academy, which will not just deliver in sports science excellence but for our people too."

Image: Basson (left) is to retire