Back in 1985, a rather entertaining book called Tycoons by William Kay hit the shelves. It profiled 13 of Britain's "most successful entrepreneurs," explaining how they found their route to fame and fortune.

The individuals were Sir Nigel Broackes, Sir Terence Conran, Michael Golder, Harry Goodman, Jimmy Gulliver, John Gunn, Noel Lister, Stephen Marks, Robert Maxwell, Gerald Ronson, Sir Clive Sinclair, David Thompson and Sir Mark Weinberg.