by Anja Emerson

Created on: December 23, 2011   Last Updated: December 26, 2011

Despite the worldwide economic crisis, the UK is still one of the most powerful economies in Europe and the world. Thus, it comes as no surprise that it has made itself known over the years through a multitude of influential people that have innovated and revitalized the business field with their fresh ideas and fierce ambition.

Coming from diverse backgrounds and dedicating their lives to different domains of activity, below are some of the most influential people in business in the UK:

Simon Cowell

Well-known for his blatantly honest and direct remarks as a talent judge, Simon Cowell is one of the most influential and highest paid television personalities in the UK. Owner of his own record label, Syco, and an astute eye for spotting new talent, Simon Cowell has a net worth of over 200 million British pounds. His charismatic persona and wit have created many memorable reality TV moments that have entertained millions of people around the world.

Mike Lynch

Though born in Ireland, Mike Lynch moved to the UK at an early age and has spent his entire life there. Frequently dubbed as “Britain’s Bill Gates”, Mike Lynch is the UK’s leading technology entrepreneur, currently considered an authority in the field of meaning-based computing. Among his many achievements, he has been named by Time magazine as one of the 25 most influential technology entrepreneurs in Europe and he has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2006. He is one of the founders of Autonomy, a multinational company which was sold to HP for 7 billion British pounds, thus making Mike Lynch a billionaire.

Adam Thilthorpe

Another IT entrepreneur, Adam Thilthrope is also one of the most influential people in business in the UK, as he is the BCS Director for Professionalism. His years of experience with big financial companies such as JP Morgan Chase & Co. and Georgeson Shareholder; nowadays he’s passing on his knowledge to peers in the IT industry by participating at conferences as a public speaker.

Peter Dawe

Technology entrepreneur and brilliant innovator, Peter Dawe is one of the people who helped lay the foundation of the Internet in the UK through his companies Unipalm and Pipex. He is also the founder of the ISPA (Internet Service Providers Association) and the IWF (Internet Watch Association), two influential institutions that safeguard the Internet and prevent illegal acts such as the distribution of child pornography. Needless to say, he is a millionaire and has been awarded an OBE in 2001.

Other influential entrepreneurs worth mentioning are: Walter Herriot, Andy Hopper, Sarah Beeny, Felix Dennis, Sir Fred Goodwin and more. Therefore, there’s no denial that the UK has never had a shortage of talented, ambitious people that would drive its economy to success and allow it to flourish.

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