James Lohan

By Kate Bassett

James Lohan, co-founder of luxury-hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith, on tennis, wooden steering wheels and being knocked back by publishers.

Pioneer conversations: Liz Nelson

By Matthew Rock

Women cannot have it all. Government must subsidise childcare. In the build-up to the 2012 First Women Awards (nominations close on April 13), a fascinating conversation with pioneering businesswomen, Taylor Nelson founder Dr Liz Nelson OBE.

David Martell

By Staff writer

Chargemaster founder David Martell on starting life as an accountant, buying a £2.5m yacht and being let down by VCs.

Jim Green

By Kate Bassett

Jim Green, finance director of Burton’s Foods and our 2011 Private Company FD of the Year, on design-engineering, Elbow and gold pens.

Kevin Rose

By Kate Bassett

Kevin Rose, founder of Bedfordshire-based The Luxury Network, on windsurfing, Chris Brown and beauty salons.

Paul Alexander

By Kate Bassett

Paul Alexander, founder of data analytics firm Beyond Analysis, on his father, Bear Grylls and having Visa Europe as a shareholder.