Outsider shakes up luxury watch industry
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
Sometimes, ignorance is a blessing. Alastair Laidlaw knew nothing about luxury watch retailing when he started Jura Watches. And a good thing too…

Branson voted top role model for SME owners
By Melissa Hancock
When it comes to popularity stakes in the business world, Sir Richard Branson is the reigning champion. Most recently, the chairman of the Virgin Group has topped a poll of business role models as voted for by UK SME owners.

Spymaster discovers the secret agent to success
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
Lee Marks, director of comms and surveillance firm Spymaster, has the low-down on bugs, bent business partners and bullet proof vests.

Scots aren't lazy
By Kate Pritchard
Scottish racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart recently accused his countrymen of being workshy, lazy and reliant on safe public-sector jobs for their employment. "That was pretty insulting,” says Steve Leach, founder of Edinburgh-based Bigmouthmedia. “There are plenty of successful entrepreneurs north of the M25.”

Dutton’s top tips for surviving a downturn
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
Gary Dutton, founder of £100m-turnover manufacturer, Synseal, is strangely ebullient about the current economic crisis. Here are his wise words on weathering the storm.

Entrepreneur goes back to go forward
By Catherine Woods
Resin Surfaces managing director Ivy Wroe admits she took her company back a few years when she changed the sales structure but says it’s been worth it.

Ex-Dragon on James Caan, Rebecca Loos and the government
By Carryn Dewing
Doug Richard, founder of Library House and, more recently, CEO of his new start-up Trutap, started off his discussion at the Entrepreneurs' Summit with a rather scathing reaction to James Caan's "condescending" attitude towards the audience: "I could have sworn I was in a room of adults."

Goodbye scrag end
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
Hello natural, high grade pet food.

Psychiatric treatment business prospers from unique management style
By Melissa Hancock
John Hughes, founder and CEO of Cygnet Healthcare, says he is considered “eccentric” by competitors in the industry because of how he runs the business. But it’s certainly working: the company is now the UK's second largest independent provider of acute psychiatric services and turns over £80m.

Muslim prayer ritual inspires entrepreneur 
By Melissa Hancock
Catering for the growing demand for multi-faith facilities in the UK, Nigel Bromilow’s company has launched the WuduSeat - a single, purpose-built unit that enables Muslims to undertake their cleansing ritual ‘Wudu’.