Mentor: The dragon
2 August 2007
Britain’s SME bosses would choose Duncan Bannatyne as a mentor for their business idea if they got a lucrative offer inside the Dragon’s Den, according to research from Abbey Business.
Bannatyne, owner of amongst other things the Bannatyne’s chain of health clubs, was chosen by 24 per cent of respondents, followed by telecoms magnate Peter Jones with 17 per cent.
Both these Dragons are highly rated by Britain’s SME bosses. The two favourite entrepreneurs have shown enormous determination to get to where they are today. After leaving the Royal Navy, Bannatyne spent his twenties moving from one job to another, before striking gold with a series of astute business investments.
Jones, on the other hand, started business life early - launching a tennis academy aged just 16. However during his twenties he ran a computer business. After a series of senior appointments in the IT industry he reignited his inner entrepreneur in 1988 with the launch of Phones International Group.
Other Dragons rated were; Aussie businessman Richard Farleigh with five per cent, and ex-dragon and founder of Red Letter Days, Rachel Elnaugh, with three per cent. Cypriot-born ‘company doctor’ Theo Paphitis and Multi-millionaires, Deborah Meadon, were both mentioned by two per cent of Britain’s SME bosses.
Interestingly half (50 per cent) of Britain’s SMEs would actually prefer to trust their own wits and would reject both the advice and cash available in the Dragons’ Den.
Ian Wilson, Managing Director of Abbey Business, commented: “The Dragon’s Den is a great way of supporting entrepreneurs. Likewise, Abbey is committed to supporting entrepreneurs throughout the UK. This is reflected in the increase in entrepreneurs opening Abbey accounts this year - 47 per cent more than last year.”
“Abbey Businesses banking products help make life easier for entrepreneurs by offering them free day-to-day banking forever as well as offering them highly attractive rates across our product range.”
