Orange Business reveals Sir Richard Branson is the UK's favourite Entrepreneur

Sir Richard Branson is the UK’s most admired entrepreneur, research commissioned by Orange Business1 has revealed, with 35 per cent of UK workers citing him as the entrepreneur they would most like to emulate.

While Lord Alan Sugar just missed out on the top spot with 24 per cent of the vote, his fellow entrepreneurs, including Theo Paphitis (3 per cent), Deborah Meaden (3 per cent) and Peter Jones (3 per cent) failed to gain as many votes. Never the less, the survey did highlight the important impact television programmes are having on raising the awareness of entrepreneurialism in the UK. 57 per cent of respondents stated that programmes such as The Apprentice and Dragons’ Den had increased their awareness of entrepreneurs and what they do.

This entrepreneurial spirit is already rubbing off, with Orange research showing more than a third (37 per cent) of the country’s working population has come up with a business idea they believe could be successful. Orange Business also found that these “dormant entrepreneurs” thought of their business ideas in some unusual places with 17 per cent of respondents believing they’ve had their best idea for a business or invention in bed. Other inspiring locations included at work (11 per cent), on holiday (10 per cent) and in the pub (6 per cent). Nearly half of those surveyed had a positive view of Britain’s entrepreneurial credentials, stating that they believe the country is famous for producing entrepreneurs.

Orange Business is running a competition to help find the UK’s next Richard Branson. With a prize worth up to £200,000 The Orange Different Business Competition2 is calling on aspiring entrepreneurs with a new idea or a fresh business approach, to visit the Different Business website – www.orange.co.uk/differentbusiness – and submit a business plan by 30th April 2012.

Mike Shirley, Head of Small Business Propositions at Everything Everywhere, said: “We work with thousands of small businesses across the country and see this kind of entrepreneurial spirit everyday. Small businesses make up the lion’s share of the UK economy and their drive for innovation should be celebrated and encouraged. Through this competition and through the advice and support we offer every day, we’re demonstrating our commitment to these inspirational individuals and companies.”