Biography
Duncan Bannatyne has established himself as the Troubleshooter of today for businesses, innovators and entrepreneurs. As a conference speaker, Duncan is fascinating, inspirational and guaranteed to make any conference a memorable occasion.
Serial entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne, has become the charismatic, no-nonsense investor on the hugely successful BBC2 show Dragons Den. The show is very much BBC’s X factor for entrepreneurs, and the first series secured viewing figures of over 3 million. An eighth series is currently in production. There are occasions when Duncan is a little Simon Cowell’esque in his approach, but he openly admits ‘I am here to invest with the view of making money, I am not here to win a popularity contest’.
Such was his allure and popularity with audiences, not to mention his incredible business acumen, he was asked to present/be the expert on, Mind Your Own Business (BBC1), where he was set the task of turning around the fortunes of the ordinary high street business in the same vein as Sir John Harvey-Jones’ Troubleshooter. He has appeared on ITV's Fortune - Million Pound Giveaway and made guest appearances in episodes of Would I Lie To You?, 8 out of 10 Cats, Al Murray's Happy Hour, The Graham Norton Show, one episode of Break with the Boss, as well as several appearances as a panellist on channel Five's The Wright Stuff. He also appeared on ITV1's Rich List Give It Away, where he travelled the country encouraging wealthy people to give money to charity.
A documentary entitled Bannatyne Takes on Tobacco was broadcast on BBC2 on 1 July 2008
He grew up in Clydebank and in his early teens he joined the Navy. He left the Navy at 19 after a disagreement with a commanding officer and lived in Jersey where he gained a reputation as a bit of a party animal. It was when sitting on the beach one morning, with nothing to his name, that he boldly decided to move back to mainland Britain and make his fortune. At the age of 31 he moved to Stockton-On-Tees and bought an ice-cream van for £450. Duncan’s Super Ices expanded to four vans and a turnover of £300,000. He sold up and moved on to Quality Care Nursing Homes and at the same time setup Just Learning children’s day-care centres.
He subsequently set up Bannatyne Fitness Ltd, a health centre chain which now has an annual turnover in excess of £30million and over 30 health clubs.
He dedicates a great deal of his time working with charitable organisations such as UNICEF and Scottish International Relief. He also established the Bannatyne Hospice for Children with HIV and AIDS in Romania.
Duncan is one of the most successful and respected businessmen in the country. He is being held by many as the light and example for the youth of today who nurture ambitions in business.
To book Duncan Bannatyne for your event, please contact Parliament on
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