Sir Alan Sugar named most influential business figure
A new survey has found the government's new enterprise tsar Sir Alan Sugar is Britain's most influential business figure.
The star of BBC's The Apprentice has been developing his management skills since his early years growing up in Hackney, east London.
It is believed he is now worth £730 million.
Ivan Croxford, general manager of bttradespace.com, which conducted the poll said: "The survey choices show how the celebrity and business worlds sometimes overlap.
"Sir Alan Sugar epitomises this trend and is a good illustration of how businesspeople have crossed into mainstream popular culture."
Sir Alan was ranked 59th in the Sunday Times Rich List 2009, a move up from 92nd in 2008 despite losing £100 million.
In 2007, he sold electronics company Amstrad, one of his best-know business ventures which was founded in 1968.
After being appointed the government's enterprise tsar this month, Sir Alan succumbed to pressure from critics who believed there was a conflict of interest between his business and his role. Sir Alan announced he would take a step back from the day-to-day running of his business.
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Comments
How is he the most influential? Sure he has a popular tv program but that's it. His business isn't exactly ripping up trees is it?
I agree with Andrea. He is probably the best known currently, but then what about Richard Branson? Virgin Atlantic has just posted a profit whilst BA have a loss.
Then take a look at the leaders quietly working away out of the public eye but managing to keep their firms not only working but growing as well.
I feel this survey is a snapshot of current perception, like looking at the skin on custard, not getting into the content.
I'm always a bit sceptical of polls like this and would be interested to hear how the question/s was/were worded.
Most influential business people aren't in the public media eye in the same way as Sir Alan has become with The Apprentice. "Most recognised business person by Joe Public" might be nearer the mark.
Im very surprised that and wealthy and rich man like him would actually give up management of his own company to go and work for the government. He must clearly want a change of scenery!