All Profile
Ian Hunt: high flier
Ian Hunt’s career took off when he joined networking specialist Fibre Technologies, but he’s reached even greater heights in his microlight aircraft.
Alex Hoye: Lines of latitude
Though he hails from the American Northwest via Silicon Valley, Alex Hoye remains convinced of Europe’s potential to create world-leading companies. GB talks exclusively to the internet entrepreneur.
Rod Richards: Playing the game
Wagamama, Paperchase and GAME have one thing in common: Graphite Capital. Managing partner Rod Richards talks about how the firm has helped build market-leading consumer brands.
Taking the growth risk: Misha Gopaul
Your business is profitable, but you know it could be a lot bigger. Do you play it safe or raise your game? Misha Gopaul, CEO of IT consultancy Fabric Technologies, explains how he faced the dilemma.
3i goes for growth
Despite private equity giant 3i’s withdrawal from the early-stage investment market, it is still a major player in growth capital deals, investing nearly £1 billion last year. GrowthBusiness talks to partner Steven Nicholls.
Malin's millions
Sam Malin built his billion-dollar oil company from scratch. Here, he reveals how he enjoys his wealth.
Wish I'd known... James Frost
Coast Digital CEO James Frost sold price comparison website CompareandSave for more than £12 million, but he’s the first to admit it’s been a bumpy ride.
The floating doorstep
We talk to the inventor of a product designed to boost Britain's flood defences about his struggle to find a backer.
Spending it: Kavita Oberoi
Fresh from her appearance in Channel 4 reality show The Secret Millionaire, the founder of Oberoi Consulting talks to GrowthBusiness about entrepreneurial responsibility.
Bob Holt: From Mears to Mfuse
The CEO of one of AIM’s biggest success stories talks about leadership, survival in a recession, and why he’s confident about the future.
Rising Star: Chemistdirect.co.uk
Mitesh Soma set up discount pharmaceutical retailer Chemistdirect.co.uk after noticing how high the mark-up was on common medicines in his wife's pharmacy. A year later and the company has sales of £5 million.
Paul Brewerton: my best business decision
In the past we always focused on the weaknesses in our clients' business, the gaps and things going wrong.
Allan Leighton: Getting the job done
After Allan Leighton turned around the fortunes of ASDA and Lastminute.com, he could have opted for the easy life, but instead became chairman of the Royal Mail. He tells GB why he doesn’t do easy.
Hoping for healthy returns
Ron Petersen and Edward Rudd, partners at healthcare investor Longbow Capital, are in upbeat mood.
What I'd do with £500,000
Successful entrepreneurs have that magical touch when it comes to investing their money in both business and pleasure. We asked five owner-managers how they would choose to spend a £500,000 windfall.
Attractions of Alternext
Web entrepreneur Luca Ascani explains why he chose Paris-based Alternext over AIM to list his latest venture GoAdv.
Exit strategist: Simon Cook
DFJ Esprit head honcho Simon Cook has a string of multi-million dollar exits under his belt, but he’s still on the lookout for more great early stage companies.
Entrepreneur Interview - Marc Koska - Founder of Star Syringe
Marc Koska’s spent 24 years working on his single-use syringe, which is designed to reduce the spread of disease in poor countries. His company Star Syringe is now profitable with revenues of £1.5 million.
Media mogul: Kishore Lulla
Media company Eros International released five of Bollywood’s top ten films in 2007. We interview the CEO.
Funding for founder-managed tech businesses
Michael Elias, MD of transatlantic technology investor Kennet Partners, likes to back companies that don’t have a history of VC involvement.
More from GrowthBusiness
The Entrepreneur
Space: The final entrepreneurial frontier
Despite it taking until 2013 for the UK to have its first ‘official astronaut’, Britain’s space industry offers many opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Growing A Business
Light touch regulation: Friend or foe?
Sophia Harrison, director of financial and professional services at Grayling, looks at how a new exchange platform out of Sweden could strike the right chord of regulation for SMEs.
Comment & Analysis
Partnering with larger businesses for growth
Building a high-growth business stage three: Choosing to partner with larger firms to collaborate on projects.
Research
The rise of cash shells
New research from GrowthBusiness shows that the number of UK cash shells is climbing. We speak to new entrants to the market and those that have recently closed deals to find out what’s driving shells’ increasing popularity.
