Visit/economy/people/600788/bernie-ebbers-the-downfall-of-the-telecom-cowboy
Bernie Ebbers: the downfall of the Telecom Cowboy
Bernie Ebbers had the starring role in the greatest rags-to-riches story in US corporate history. A plot twist at the end turned it into a different k…
10 Feb 2020
Visit/investments/investment-strategy/600742/great-frauds-in-history-robert-vescos-dubious-schemes
Great frauds in history: Robert Vesco’s dubious schemes
Robert Vesco looted IOS, a Swiss fund of funds, and the funds it ran by having them invest in a web of banks and shell companies that he himself owned…
5 Feb 2020
Visit/economy/people/600741/kim-woo-choong-the-ambiguous-legacy-of-daewoos-chairman-kim
Kim Woo-choong: the ambiguous legacy of Daewoo's Chairman Kim
Former Daewoo chairman Kim Woo-choong inspired a generation of entrepreneurs. His empire collapsed and his career ended in ignominy, but was he to bla…
3 Feb 2020
Visit/economy/entrepreneurs/600659/five-questions-for-frederic-de-ryckman-de-betz-ceo-and-founder-of
Five questions for: Frederic de Ryckman de Betz, CEO and founder of Attic Self Storage
Frederic de Ryckman de Betz started Attic Self Storage back in 2008.
21 Jan 2020
Visit/economy/entrepreneurs/600656/kai-feller-barkcom-and-the-amazon-for-services
Kai Feller: Bark.com and the "Amazon for services"
Kai Feller set up Bark.com to streamline the tedious process of looking for service providers such as cleaners, accountants or gardeners.
21 Jan 2020
Visit/economy/entrepreneurs/600654/alina-morse-the-teenager-who-made-a-million
Alina Morse: the teenager who made a million
Fourteen-year-old Alina Morse created Zollipops, her sugar-free confectionery company, out of her desire for treats that wouldn't rot her teeth.
20 Jan 2020
Visit/economy/entrepreneurs/600655/kristian-tapaninaho-bootstrapping-his-way-to-success
Kristian Tapaninaho: bootstrapping his way to success
Kristian Tapaninaho grew Ooni, his pizza-oven business, through "bootstrapping" – quick and successful growth with very little external funding.
17 Jan 2020
Visit/economy/people/600660/willie-walsh-the-colourful-scamp-who-saved-ba
Willie Walsh: the colourful scamp who saved BA
Willie Walsh is standing down after 15 years in the cockpit at Britain’s flagship airline. Few will miss his combative approach, but the industry is l…
17 Jan 2020
Visit/520445/carlos-ghosn-le-cost-killers-great-jail-break
Carlos Ghosn: Le Cost Killer’s great jail break
Carlos Ghosn, the former Nissan boss charged with fraud, fled captivity in Tokyo and is now a fugitive in Lebanon. His memoirs should make for fascina…
13 Jan 2020
Visit/520127/neil-woodford-rides-again
Neil Woodford rides again
Neil Woodford’s speedy descent made Icarus look like a slouch. Many thought he would now be spending more time with his horses. He’s actually plotting…
1 Jan 2020
Visit/520137/the-movers-and-shakers-of-2019
The movers and shakers of 2019
Men make history, but not in circumstances of their own choosing, said Marx. Some men make more of it in less time than others. Here are four figures …
31 Dec 2019
Visit/519820/pham-nhat-vuong-vietnams-donald-trump
Pham Nhat Vuong: Vietnam’s Donald Trump
Not satisfied with a business empire that covers just about everything in his native Vietnam, property mogul Pham Nhat Vuong is making a move into the…
25 Dec 2019
Visit/519572/paul-volcker-the-banking-ace-who-crushed-inflation
Paul Volcker: the banking ace who crushed inflation
Paul Volcker, who died last week aged 92, was an inspirational figure whose controversial policies helped inaugurate the modern era.
13 Dec 2019
Visit/519213/michael-bloomberg-a-master-of-many-guises
Michael Bloomberg: a master of many guises
Michael Bloomberg launched his financial data company after getting fired from Wall Street. Could the billionaire media magnate and former New York ma…
9 Dec 2019
Visit/518436/the-maths-whizz-who-solved-the-market
Jim Simons: the maths whizz who solved the market
Jim Simons loved maths and logic from an early age and enjoyed a rapid rise to the top in academia. Then he worked out how to create the greatest mone…
25 Nov 2019
Visit/518103/bernard-arnault-the-wolf-in-cashmere
Bernard Arnault: the wolf in cashmere
Bernard Arnault, the chief at luxury group LVMH, is known for his aggressive approach to deal making. His tilt at jeweller Tiffany could be his most t…
19 Nov 2019
Visit/517741/van-der-vorm-the-dutch-billionaires-who-keep-schtum
Van der Vorm: the Dutch billionaires who keep schtum
The Rotterdam-based Van der Vorm family is one of the world’s richest clans, but if it is known at all, it is renowned for its silence. A canny bet on…
12 Nov 2019
Visit/517346/the-data-geek-taking-pot-mainstream
Brendan Kennedy: the data geek taking cannibis mainstream
Brendan Kennedy was an early mover in the market as the world started to legalise cannabis. It seemed like a crazy and risky decision a decade ago. No…
4 Nov 2019
Visit/516980/christine-lagarde-killer-shark-takes-the-helm-at-the-ecb
Christine Lagarde: killer shark takes the helm at the ECB
Former IMF chief Christine Lagarde has a reputation for easy manners and good humour, but she has a ruthless streak. She’ll probably need it as she ta…
28 Oct 2019
Visit/516720/steve-schwarzman-wall-streets-arch-dealmaker
Steve Schwarzman: Wall Street’s arch dealmaker
Steve Schwarzman has had an illustrious career in finance, while his friendship with Donald Trump has made him a pivotal figure in the US-China trade …
21 Oct 2019
Visit/516343/parker-schnabel-the-dirt-nerd-who-keeps-striking-gold
Parker Schnabel: the dirt nerd who keeps striking gold
Parker Schnabel was a typical Alaskan teenager when he discovered gold exploration and reality television. Still only 25, he has excelled at both for …
14 Oct 2019
Visit/515709/tom-ford-the-perfectionist-who-rescued-gucci
Tom Ford: the perfectionist who rescued Gucci
Tom Ford made his name by pushing the “sex sells” mantra to extremes in the 1990s. But his latest collections and products have been tailored for a di…
30 Sep 2019
Visit/515349/t-boone-pickens-the-maverick-who-shook-up-big-oil
T Boone Pickens: the maverick who shook up Big Oil
T Boone Pickens, who died recently aged 91, was a shareholder activist before it was cool and made billions of dollars in the oil trade before becomin…
20 Sep 2019
Visit/514983/archie-norman-can-the-turnaround-king-save-ms
Archie Norman: can the turnaround king save M&S?
Archie Norman is a retail grandee with a reputation for rescuing sinking ships. There were hopes he might do the same for Britain’s national high-stre…
16 Sep 2019
Visit/514408/david-koch-the-billionaire-who-reshaped-us-politics
David Koch: the billionaire who reshaped US politics
David Koch, who has died aged 79, was a kind and generous man, a great benefactor of charitable causes and the arts. But his influence on political li…
9 Sep 2019
Visit/514012/li-ka-shing-hong-kongs-superman-wont-hang-up-his-cape
Li Ka-shing: Hong Kong's Superman won’t hang up his cape
Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing had hinted at his desire to retire. Now, caught between the authorities in Beijing and the pro-democracy protests, h…
3 Sep 2019
Visit/513722/city-legend-hangs-up-his-bowler-hat
Sir Win Bischoff: City legend hangs up his bowler hat
Sir Win Bischoff, who has been at the heart of the City of London for decades, is retiring. It’s just a shame that he’s not departing on a higher note…
28 Aug 2019
Visit/513313/carson-block-the-worlds-most-feared-short-seller
Carson Block: the world’s most feared short-seller
Carson Block sniffs out stocks trading on dodgily high valuations and bets against them, which unnerves his targets. Now, his reign of terror has spre…
21 Aug 2019
Visit/512722/jeffrey-epstein-the-sordid-downfall-of-a-plutocrat
Jeffrey Epstein: the sordid downfall of a plutocrat
Jeffrey Epstein was a financier who rubbed shoulders with the rich and powerful. Allegations of sexual abuse have brought him down. But just how did h…
13 Aug 2019
Visit/512591/a-beginners-guide-to-adam-smith
A beginner’s guide to Adam Smith, part I
Dominic Frisby looks at the life of Scottish philosopher Adam Smith, known as the "father of economics".
7 Aug 2019
Visit/512245/dominic-cummings-the-brain-behind-boriss-brexit
Dominic Cummings: the brain behind Boris’s Brexit
Dominic Cummings, the architect of the Vote Leave campaign, is now in Downing Street and advising Boris Johnson. That has Remainers panicking. Why so …
5 Aug 2019
Visit/511835/the-downfall-of-a-banking-hero
Bill Winters: downfall of a banking hero
Bill Winters, chief executive of Standard Chartered, was once hailed as a paragon among moneymen. But now he is under fire for a tin-eared defence of …
29 Jul 2019
Visit/511306/kenny-alexander-gambling-kingpin-with-a-ruthless-streak
Kenny Alexander: gambling kingpin with a ruthless streak
A knack for finding good bets and an audacious string of deals has put Kenny Alexander at the top of the gambling industry. Yet his fast and loose sty…
22 Jul 2019
Visit/510830/sanjeev-gupta-the-indian-visionary-eyeing-up-british-steel
Sanjeev Gupta: the Indian visionary eyeing up British Steel
The government is seeking a buyer for the UK’s second-largest steelmaker. Sanjeev Gupta, an Indian-born tycoon with form as a saviour of troubled firm…
15 Jul 2019
Visit/510149/the-czech-sphinx-buying-up-europe
Daniel Kretinsky: the “Czech sphinx” buying up Europe
Few people outside central Europe had heard of Daniel Kretinsky a decade ago. Now he is one of the continent’s top dealmakers with an eye for helpful …
8 Jul 2019
Visit/509778/dietrich-mateschitz-late-bloomer-gets-a-boost-from-red-bull
Dietrich Mateschitz: late bloomer gets a boost from Red Bull
It took Dietrich Mateschitz a decade to get his degree, then he moved into business. But it was a syrupy concoction in Thailand that gave him the idea…
1 Jul 2019
Visit/509375/peter-hargreaves-an-upset-for-the-worlds-happiest-billionaire
Peter Hargreaves: an upset for the world’s happiest billionaire
Peter Hargreaves created a FTSE 100 company from scratch without borrowing or acquisition – and without scandal – at least until the Woodford one blew…
24 Jun 2019
Visit/509010/rock-star-fund-manager-woodford-gets-booed-off-stage
Rock-star fund manager Woodford gets booed off stage
Neil Woodford had humble origins, but built an enthusiastic following among retail investors by promising to make them rich. Now, they’d just like the…
14 Jun 2019
Visit/508561/amancio-ortega-the-humble-introvert-who-made-a-billion
Amancio Ortega: the humble introvert who made a billion
Amancio Ortega shook up the retail industry with his “fast-fashion” revolution. Now he’s the richest man in Spain and has a property empire bigger tha…
10 Jun 2019
Visit/507992/niki-lauda-racing-hero-and-serial-entrepreneur
Niki Lauda: racing hero and serial entrepreneur
Niki Lauda was a legend in Formula One racing and a pretty formidable dealmaker and entrepreneur, too. His life is a testimony to the power of the wil…
30 May 2019
Visit/507458/julian-richers-crusade-to-clean-up-capitalism
Julian Richer's crusade to clean up capitalism
Julian Richer, the entrepreneur who put people before profits, and yet produced plenty of the latter, has been lauded for handing his empire over to h…
24 May 2019
Visit/507032/garrett-camp-the-quiet-techie-who-dreamt-up-uber
Garrett Camp: the quiet techie who dreamt up Uber
The taxi app is always associated with its former boss Travis Kalanick. But it was actually his co-founder, Garrett Camp, who came up with the idea. H…
22 May 2019
Visit/506529/edward-bramson-the-quiet-activist-barging-into-barclays
Edward Bramson: the quiet activist barging into Barclays
Edward Bramson may have failed to secure a seat on the board last week, but past form suggests his Sherborne investment fund will soon be back to shak…
13 May 2019
Visit/506161/hui-ka-yan-the-real-king-of-debt
Hui Ka Yan: the real king of debt
Hui Ka Yan, China’s richest property mogul, rode to success on the back of a boom. Now there are fears that it could all come to a messy end.
6 May 2019
Visit/505753/terry-gou-the-fiery-gadget-chief-guns-for-top-job
Terry Gou: the fiery gadget chief guns for top job
Terry Gou, the head of a $41bn gadget assembly empire, has stepped back from his role to contest the presidency of Taiwan. Will that disturb the islan…
29 Apr 2019
Visit/505379/creating-silicon-valleys-silent-unicorn
Ben Silbermann: creating Silicon Valley’s “silent unicorn”
Ben Silbermann, who launched the digital pinboard Pinterest in 2010, is not your typical tech entrepreneur. Quiet and meticulous, he has built the com…
22 Apr 2019
Visit/505034/hiroshi-mikitani-the-visionary-who-built-japans-amazon
Hiroshi Mikitani: the visionary who built Japan’s Amazon
Hiroshi Mikitani’s talent for trend-spotting has already made him a billionaire. Now he has his sights firmly set on a new challenge. Jane Lewis repor…
16 Apr 2019
Visit/504585/mark-getty-im-one-of-those-people-everyone-hates
Mark Getty: “I’m one of those people everyone hates”
Mark Getty, grandson of oil baron Jean Paul, transformed a small picture library in Camden into a global $3bn business. He remains excited by its pros…
8 Apr 2019
Visit/503971/charles-dunstone-fortunes-change-for-the-lucky-idiot
Charles Dunstone: Fortunes change for the “lucky idiot”
Carphone Warehouse founder Sir Charles Dunstone enjoyed a hot streak of success as mobile phones took off and he became Britain’s first telecoms billi…
1 Apr 2019