Duncan Bannatyne

Dragons Den star and business tycoon

Duncan Bannatyne is an example of an entrepreneurial "from rags to riches" fairy tale. He started at an early age with cars and graduated to health clubs and casinos.

A poverty-stricken childhood steeled Duncans drive to make his fortune from an early age. He began his entrepreneurial life by trading in cars, but it was with an ice cream van that he changed the course of his life - setting out to become the king of the 99.

He then switched to nursing homes, becoming a multi-millionaire in the process. Since then Duncan has built up a chain of health clubs called Bannatynes and also owns Bannatynes Casino, Bar and Hotels.

Estimated to be worth more than £170m, Duncan holds an OBE and was recently awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) from Glasgow Caledonian University for services to business and charity.
He was also North Region Entrepreneur of the Year 2003 and Master Entrepreneur of The Year 2003 for the North Region