Entrepreneurs

David Gold reckons a mixture of luck and fear has propelled him to a £500 million fortune. But a canny ability to exploit opportunities and a singular aversion to debt has also played its part.

Entrepreneurs

Jonathan Clark founded direct marketing agency Clark McKay & Walpole in 1995 with Janet McKay. By September this year he had created a business boasting revenues of £9.1 million and operating profits of £900,000.

Entrepreneurs

Bobby Hashemi founded Coffee Republic in 1995 and stepped down in 2001, having created a successful operation. A year later, with the share price slumping, following substantial losses, he returned to the helm.

Entrepreneurs

Duncan Bannatyne spent time in the navy - and in jail - before embarking on a career that has made him £115 million.

Entrepreneurs

Samantha Hunter set up cosmetics distribution business Forever Natural last year, and has since enlisted her father, mother and sister to help her build a business boasting sales now of just under £1 million.

Entrepreneurs

Eduardo Loigorri and Rob Steele founded business and accounting software company Exchequer in 1984, when they were both 18. Without any external funding, the business has grown to sales of £10 million.