Duncan Bannatyne OBE

Duncan Bannatyne was born in Clydebank on February 2nd 1949. His interest in making money began at a very young age; when his mother told him she could not afford to buy him the bicycle he wanted, Duncan went out and arranged a job as a paper boy for himself. Needless to say, he had soon saved up and purchased the bike he wanted.

When Duncan settled in Stockton-On-Tees after a short time in Jersey, he started his first business off by buying an ice cream van. His ice creams soon became popular locally and he was soon able to expand his business and invest in more vans. Duncan eventually sold the ice cream business and used his profits to start up in the care home industry. Talk about a change of career!

Duncan’s company, The Bannatyne Group, runs hotels, health clubs and bars. They have now branched into property and are building several residential developments.

Duncan has even added a flourishing media career to his business commitments and is perhaps best known for his time on BBC’s Dragon’s Den. He has also presented Mind Your Own Business, in which he turns round failing companies and Rich List Give Away, in which he encourages wealthy people to give money to charity.

In his spare time, Duncan enjoys sports including water skiing, scuba diving, climbing and running. He has worked with UNICEF and Scottish International Relief for many years and has even set up a hospice in Romania for children with HIV and AIDS. He was awarded an OBE in 2004 in recognition of his services to charity. He is a steadfast anti-smoking campaigner.