Most Successful British Entrepreneurs Of The 21st Century

Find out more about the greatest 21st Century British Entrepreneurs, including Richard Branson, George Soros, Victoria Beckham, Marco Pierre White and Katie Hopkins.
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 1 
Richard Branson
(British Business Tycoon and the Founder of the 'Virgin Group')
Richard Branson
17
Birthdate: July 18, 1950
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Blackheath, London, Engand

Richard Branson is an English business magnate. The founder of Virgin Group Ltd., which controls over 400 companies, Branson was named on Time magazine's list of 100 Most Influential People in The World. Branson has also had a major impact as a philanthropist; he set up a charitable organization called Branson School of Entrepreneurship to provide entrepreneurial training to youngsters.

 2 
Jamie Oliver
(British Restaurateur and Cookbook Author)
Jamie Oliver
7
Birthdate: May 27, 1975
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Clavering, Essex Clavering, Essex, England

Jamie Oliver is an English restaurateur and chef who gained international recognition after appearing on popular TV shows, such as Jamie's Kitchen and The Naked Chef. In 2005, his Feed Me Better campaign helped introduce several children to healthier foods. He also established a charity restaurant called Fifteen, which employs disadvantaged young people.

 3 
Peter Jones
(Entrepreneur)
Peter Jones
5
Birthdate: March 18, 1966
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Maidenhead
Entrepreneur and reality star Peter Jones is best known for his stints on the shows Dragons' Den, American Investor, and Tycoon. He owns several businesses, including Wines4Business.com and Phones International Group. He received a CBE honor in 2009 and is also a luxury sports car enthusiast.
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 4 
Richard Attenborough
(English Actor & Filmmaker)
Richard Attenborough
4
Birthdate: August 29, 1923
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
Died: August 24, 2014

Richard Attenborough is credited with making one of the greatest films of all time - Gandhi. Also an actor, Richard served as the president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Apart from being honored by the British royalty, he was also honored with India's third-highest civilian award, The Padma Bhushan.

 5 
Kate Moss
(British Supermodel)
Kate Moss
4
Birthdate: January 16, 1974
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Croydon, England

Kate Moss, one of the highest-paid supermodels of the 1990s, was one of the pioneers of the “heroin chic” trend. Featured on TIME 100, she was known for her collaboration with Calvin Klein and her size-zero figure. She owns a clothing range and is a fashion editor for British Vogue.

 6 
Heston Blumenthal
(British Celebrity Chef, TV Personality and Food Writer)
Heston Blumenthal
7
Birthdate: May 27, 1966
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Shepherd's Bush, London, England

Heston Blumenthal is a British celebrity chef whose unusual recipes, such as Scotch eggs and triple-cooked chips have been widely imitated. He is considered a pioneer of multi-sensory cooking and his scientific approach to cooking has earned him honorary degrees from several universities. In 2004, he won the prestigious Chef Award, joining the likes of Phil Howard and Gordon Ramsay.

 7 
Davy Jones
(Musician)
Davy Jones
4
Birthdate: December 30, 1945
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Openshaw, Manchester, England
Died: February 29, 2012
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
 8 
Alan Sugar
(British Business Magnate and Founder of Consumer Electronics Company 'Amstrad')
Alan Sugar
4
Birthdate: March 24, 1947
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: London Borough of Hackney

Alan Sugar is a British business magnate, politician, author, and media personality. He is credited with founding the popular electronics company, Amstrad. He also co-owned the English football club Tottenham Hotspur from 1991 to 2001. Also a well-known philanthropist, Sugar donated £200,000 to the Labour Party in 2001. He has also donated for charities, such as Great Ormond Street Hospital.

 9 
Lisa Vanderpump
(Actress, Restaurateur)
Lisa Vanderpump
5
Birthdate: September 15, 1960
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: London, England

Lisa Vanderpump is a British restaurateur, actress, and television personality. Vanderpump has owned 36 restaurants, clubs, and bars in Los Angeles and London along with her husband Ken Todd. Also a well-known philanthropist, Lisa Vanderpump supports charity organizations, such as Keep Memory Alive, which was established to create awareness about neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

 10 
Heather Mills
(Former Model, Businesswoman and Ex-Wife of Paul McCartney)
Heather Mills
4
Birthdate: January 12, 1968
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Aldershot, Hampshire, England
Model Heather Mills lost her left leg in an accident but continued to model using a prosthetic leg. She was previously married to singer Paul McCartney. An avid animal rights activist, she is associated with organizations such as Viva! She has appeared on reality shows like Dancing with The Stars.
 11 
Bernie Ecclestone
(Business Magnate)
Bernie Ecclestone
4
Birthdate: October 28, 1930
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Bungay, Suffolk, England

Bernie Ecclestone is a British business magnate. Often described as F1 Supremo by the media, Ecclestone served as the Formula One Group's former chief executive. Between 2007 and 2011, he also co-owned the English soccer club, Queens Park Rangers. In the early-2000s, Bernie Ecclestone refused to accept a knighthood, stating that he does not deserve the honor.

 12 
James Dyson
(Founder of ‘Dyson Ltd’ and Inventor of the Dual Cyclone Bagless Vacuum Cleaner)
James Dyson
5
Birthdate: May 2, 1947
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Cromer, England

James Dyson is a British industrial designer, inventor, entrepreneur, and landowner. He is credited with founding the popular technology company, Dyson Ltd. He is also credited with inventing the Dual Cyclone bagless vacuum cleaner. Also known for his philanthropic activities, Dyson established the James Dyson Foundation to support engineering education and to inspire young people.

 13 
Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
(English Property Developer, Founder and Chief Executive of ‘Banda’ Property)
Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
4
Birthdate: 1983
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: London, England

Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi became known internationally when he married the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Beatrice. He is otherwise known as the founder of an interior design and property development company called Banda, for which he also serves as the chief executive.

 14 
Edd China
(Television Presenter)
Edd China
5
Birthdate: May 9, 1971
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: London, England
Edd China is best known as the host of the Discovery Channel show Wheeler Dealers. He has also been part of Fifth Gear and Top Gear. He established Cummfy Banana Limited. After racing a motorized sofa at 148 km/h, China set a Guinness record for the fastest furniture.
 15 
Prue Leith
(British-South African Restaurateur, Chef, Television Presenter, Journalist, Cookery Writer)
Prue Leith
9
Birthdate: February 18, 1940
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: South Africa

British-South African chef and culinary expert Prue Leith had begun her career with a lunch-supplying business. She later launched her Michelin-starred restaurant Leith's in Notting Hill and a culinary school. Best known as a judge on The Great British Menu, she is also associated with various charitable initiatives.

 16 
Rick Stein
(English Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur and Television Presenter)
Rick Stein
4
Birthdate: June 30, 1947
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Churchill, Oxfordshire, England

Celebrity chef Rick Stein has managed the U.K.’s Stein Hotel and Restaurant with his first wife, Jill Stein. He later became the head chef and co-owner of Rick Stein at Bannisters in Australia, with his second wife, Sarah. He has authored cookbooks and presented culinary shows such as Seafood Odyssey.

 17 
Neil Morrissey
(British Actor Known for His Role as Tony in the Sitcom 'Men Behaving Badly)
Neil Morrissey
6
Birthdate: July 4, 1962
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Stafford, Staffordshire, England

Best known for his role of Tony in Men Behaving Badly, English actor Neil Anthony Morrissey developed a love for acting while in school. He has played significant roles in various films and televise series like The Bounty, Bob the Builder, Waterloo Road, Line of Duty, and Boon. Also a successful businessperson, he now owns a chain of pubs in Staffordshire.

 18 
Anita Roddick
(British Businesswoman and Human Rights Activist)
Anita Roddick
3
Birthdate: October 23, 1942
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Littlehampton, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Died: September 10, 2007

Anita Roddick was a British businesswoman and human rights activist. She was also a passionate crusader for environmental issues. She founded the British version of The Body Shop, now The Body Shop International Limited. Her company was among the first to prohibit the use of ingredients tested on animals in some products. She was also involved with Greenpeace.  

 19 
Spencer Matthews
(Television personality)
Spencer Matthews
4
Birthdate: August 6, 1988
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: London, England
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 20 
John Torode
(Australian-British Celebrity Chef and TV Presenter Known for His Show ‘MasterChef’ on BBC One)
John Torode
4
Birthdate: July 23, 1965
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Melbourne, Australia
Australian celebrity chef and restaurateur John Torode initially worked at the U.K.-based Conran Group's restaurants. He is also known for his appearances on shows such as This Morning and the revival of MasterChef in 2005. He owned the Luxe and Smiths of Smithfield and has also authored several cookbooks.
 21 
Frank Williams
(manager)
Frank Williams
4
Birthdate: April 16, 1942
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: South Shields, England
 22 
Mike Ashley
(Entrepreneur)
Mike Ashley
3
Birthdate: September 9, 1964
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Burnham
British retail magnate Mike Ashley is the CEO of the sports retailer Sports Direct and owns the department store group House of Fraser. He also owns the football club Newcastle United and once owned stakes in Rangers International. He is media shy and is known for his signature white shirts.
 23 
Max Mosley
(Racecar driver, Lawyer, Politician, Directeur sportif)
Max Mosley
3
Birthdate: April 13, 1940
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: London

Max Mosley was a British lawyer and racing driver. He is credited with founding the Formula One racing team and racing car constructor, March Engineering. He also served as the president of a non-profit association named Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), which represents the interests of car users and motoring organizations around the world.

 24 
Simon Fuller
(Entrepreneur)
Simon Fuller
3
Birthdate: May 17, 1960
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Cyprus
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 25 
Denis Thatcher
(Husband of Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher)
Denis Thatcher
4
Birthdate: May 10, 1915
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Lewisham, London, England
Died: June 26, 2003
Businessman Denis Thatcher was married to British prime minister Margaret Thatcher from 1951 till his death in 2003. He initially ran the firm Atlas and was later associated with companies such as Attwoods and Quinton Hazell. He had served in World War II and received the Thatcher baronetcy in 1990.
 26 
Trinny Woodall
(TV Presenter)
Trinny Woodall
3
Birthdate: February 8, 1964
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Marylebone, London, England
Fashion and makeover expert Trinny Woodall, founder of the makeup brand Trinny London, began her career as a marketing expert and then wrote fashion columns for The Daily Telegraph. She has co-hosted What Not to Wear with Susannah Constantine, has co-written several bestselling fashion books, and launched a sleepwear line.
 27 
James Murdoch
(Businessman and CEO of '21st Century Fox' (2015 - 2019))
James Murdoch
5
Birthdate: December 13, 1972
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom
Media magnate James Murdoch, the youngest son of Rupert Murdoch, has been the CEO of 21st Century Fox. He was also the chairman and CEO of News Corporation (Europe and Asia) and also of Sky plc, handling networks such as Star TV. He was involved in the BSkyB phone-hacking scandal.
 28 
Jacob Rothschild
(Banker)
Jacob Rothschild
4
Birthdate: April 29, 1936
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Berkshire, United Kingdom
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 29 
Evelyn Robert de Rothschild
(Banker, Polo player)
Evelyn Robert de Rothschild
2
Birthdate: August 29, 1931
Sun Sign: Virgo
 30 
Sarah Willingham
(Restaurateur, Businessperson)
Sarah Willingham
3
Birthdate: December 21, 1973
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Stoke-on-Trent

It is believed Sarah Willingham had begun working in the hospitality industry at age 13. Apart from managing the popular restaurants Planet Hollywood and Pizza Express, she also manages a huge portfolio that includes The Bombay Bicycle Club and The London Cocktail Club. She has also been part of Dragons' Den.

 31 
Karren Brady
(British Business Executive, TV Personality and Vice-Chairman of ‘West Ham United F.C.’)
Karren Brady
4
Birthdate: April 4, 1969
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Edmonton, London, England

One of the UK’s best-known businesswomen, Baroness Karren Brady had begun her career in advertising sales. She has been a judge on BBC1’s The Apprentice and an MD at Birmingham City FC. She is a Barclays LifeSkills ambassador, too, and has been part of the House of Lords.

 32 
Tej Lalvani
(Businessman)
Tej Lalvani
4
Birthdate: July 13, 1974
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: United Kingdom
 33 
Philip Green
(British Businessman and Chairman of the Retail Company the ‘Arcadia Group’)
Philip Green
4
Birthdate: March 15, 1952
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Surrey, England, United Kingdom

British businessman Philip Green is the chairman of Arcadia Group, a British multinational retailing company. Previously, he was the chairman and chief executive of Amber Day. He has been called the "King of the High Street" owing to his involvement in several major businesses. He is a controversial businessman and has been accused of using sweatshops.

 34 
Giles Deacon
(British Fashion Designer, Creative Director and Founder of ‘Giles Deacon Group’)
Giles Deacon
3
Birthdate: 1969 AD
Birthplace: Darlington, England, United Kingdom

Though he initially aspired to be a marine biologist, Giles Deacon later joined an art course, as he failed his chemistry A-level. Now a reputed designer, he owns his own fashion house, with clients such as Pippa Middleton. He has also experimented with his designs, launching work-from-anywhere capsule collections.

 35 
Gary Rhodes
(English Restaurateur and Television Chef)
Gary Rhodes
3
Birthdate: April 22, 1960
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: London, United Kingdom
Died: November 26, 2019

Best known for his appearances on shows such as MasterChef and Hell's Kitchen, Gary Rhodes later also launched his own series, Rhodes Around Britain. He owned several restaurants in the UK and the Middle East. The celebrity chef shocked everyone with his untimely death at age 59 due to brain hemorrhage.

 36 
Terence Conran
(English Designer, Restaurateur and Founder of 'Design Museum')
Terence Conran
2
Birthdate: October 4, 1931
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, England
Died: September 12, 2020

Best known as the founder of the Design Museum in London, British designer and restaurateur Terence Conran had begun a furniture studio while still a student. He later launched popular interior and furniture design firms such as the Conran Design Group and Habitat. He has also penned several books.

 37 
Ruth Porat
(CFO of Alphabet Inc and Google)
Ruth Porat
3
Birthdate: 1958 AD
Birthplace: Cheshire, England, United Kingdom
Ruth Porat, the CFO of Alphabet Inc. and Google since 2015, was also the CFO and executive vice president of Morgan Stanley earlier. She was seventh on Fortune’s Most Powerful Women list in 2020. Named Institutional Investor’s Best Internet CFO, she has served on the boards of various corporate bodies.
 38 
Mark Thatcher
(Businessman and Son of Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990)
Mark Thatcher
9
Birthdate: August 15, 1953
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Dartford, Kent, England

Mark Thatcher is the son of former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher. For the major part of his career as a businessman, Thatcher was accused of using his mother's position to gain an upper hand, especially in the Al-Yamamah arms deal. In 2005, he was convicted for funding the 2004 Wonga Coup in South Africa.

 39 
Duncan Bannatyne
(Entrepreneur)
Duncan Bannatyne
3
Birthdate: February 2, 1949
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Clydebank, Scotland
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 40 
Raj Kundra
Raj Kundra
8
Birthdate: September 9, 1975
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: London
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 41 
Jack Brooksbank
(Entrepreneur)
Jack Brooksbank
3
Birthdate: May 3, 1986
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: London, England
British bar manager and wine merchant Jack Brooksbank is better known as the husband of Princess Eugenie, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II of the U.K. He had met Eugenie on a Swiss ski trip. He is the brand ambassador of Casamigos Tequila, co-founded by George Clooney.
 42 
Jim Ratcliffe
(Businessperson)
Jim Ratcliffe
3
Birthdate: October 18, 1952
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Failsworth, Lancashire, England
 43 
Gregg Wallace
(Known for Co-presenting 'Masterchef', 'Celebrity Masterchef' and 'Masterchef: The Professionals')
Gregg Wallace
3
Birthdate: October 17, 1964
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Peckham, London, England

Celebrity chef Gregg Wallace is now better known as a MasterChef judge. Interestingly, he had begun his career as a greengrocer in Covert Garden and had then launched George Allan's Greengrocers. Wallace met his wife on Twitter, when she asked him a cooking-related question. He also owns a fitness brand.

 44 
Deborah Meaden
(British Businesswoman and TV Personality)
Deborah Meaden
3
Birthdate: February 11, 1959
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Taunton, Somerset, England, United Kingdom

Deborah Meaden launched her first business right after leaving college and was one of the first to launch a Stefanel franchise in the UK. Known for her appearance on Dragons' Den, she has invested in countless businesses and is also associated with charitable organizations such as the WWF.

 45 
Rebekah Brooks
(British Journalist and CEO of 'News UK')
Rebekah Brooks
3
Birthdate: May 27, 1968
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Warrington, Lancashire, England

Rebekah Brooks is a British former newspaper editor and journalist. She currently works as a media executive and has been serving as News UK's CEO since 2015. In 2003, she started working as the editor of The Sun, becoming the first female editor of the tabloid. From 2009 to 2011, she served as the chief executive officer of News International.

 46 
Ron Dennis
(Entrepreneur)
Ron Dennis
3
Birthdate: June 1, 1947
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Woking, England
 47 
Michelle Dewberry
(Businesswoman & Media Personality Who Won the Second Series of British Reality TV Show 'The Apprentice')
Michelle Dewberry
4
Birthdate: October 9, 1979
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Humberside, England
 48 
Gemma Collins
(Media Personality and Businesswoman Known for Her TV Reality Series ‘The Only Way Is Essex’)
Gemma Collins
3
Birthdate: January 31, 1981
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Romford, England

Reality star and entrepreneur Gemma Collins soared to fame with reality shows such as The Only Way Is Essex, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, Celebrity Big Brother, and Dancing on Ice. She later launched her own reality franchise, Gemma Collins: Diva, and her own BBC podcast.

 49 
Gary Mehigan
(English-Australian Chef and Restaurateur)
Gary Mehigan
3
Birthdate: February 12, 1967
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Hayling Island, Hampshire, England

Born in England, Gary Mehigan, celebrated chef and restaurateur, received his initial training in prominent London hotels before moving to Melbourne, Australia. After heading several well-known restaurants there, he opened his own establishment and currently co-owns The Boathouse, located in Moonee Ponds. Concurrently, he can also be seen on televisions productions like MasterChef Australia and Far Flung with Gary Mehigan.

 50 
Alexander Gilkes
(Businessman)
Alexander Gilkes
3
Birthdate: July 16, 1979
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: United Kingdom

Alexander Gilkes is a British businessman. He is credited with co-founding an online auction house called Paddle8, for which he also served as the president from 2011 to 2018. He is also credited with co-founding Squared Circles. In 2017, Alexander Gilkes was named among the Most Creative Entrepreneurs by Fast Company magazine.