Meet the new Dragons: Sarah Willingham, Touker Suleyman and Nick Jenkins

Family: Divorced with two daughters

Education: “All my life I’ve been in London state schools. Then I went to become an articled clerk in a chartered accountants, but I had the blood of an entrepreneur so I didn’t finish that, but went out into the world."

How much are you worth? "I don’t know. The Sunday Times Rich List says £150m. It depends how they value it. It changes every day."

How did you get to where you are now? "Hard work, passion, drive, vision. I’ve picked the right people. You need the right team, singing from the same hymn sheet."

Best business success? "Hawes & Curtis. I bought it for a pound, it’s approaching £30 million this year. It’s got a new strategy to move from being a shirt brand to a global lifestyle brand. I love it."

Worst business failure? "In the early 1980s I bought a business called Bamber Stores. Let’s just say that all the accounts were fraudulent. I didn’t do my proper due diligence, but it was my decision and I take responsibility."

What kind of business are you looking to invest in? "Any that I can add value to and make money on! A business with synergies with ones I’ve already got does appeal, but I’m open-minded."

What kind of person are you looking for? "An honest person. Someone I can look in the eye, and feel the chemistry that tells me I can do business with them."

Are you a non-dom? "Yes. But all my income is in the UK and I pay my taxes."

Would you support Labour’s policy to scrap non-dom status? "No. I know how important people who come in and bring a lot of money with them are. They do buy property but they invest huge amounts on interiors, woodwork, cabinets, which all goes back to small workshops across the country. But I don’t think people see that. The Government gets money in VAT and stamp duty, and small companies get it by making all sorts of products.

PETER JONES’S VERDICT: "He is driven by passion and led by his heart."

DEBORAH MEADEN’S VERDICT: "He’s a very instinctive entrepreneur. Sometimes his brain works faster than his mouth can keep up with."