Sugar voted a business inspiration

Alan Sugar has been voted the UK’s most inspirational business figure in a new poll published today.

A third of users of the business social networking site bttradespace.com voted for the Apprentice star, with chef Jamie Oliver coming second with 25%.

Former Posh Spice Victoria Beckham and lastminute.com founder Martha Lane Fox came joint third, just ahead of Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Rose.

Ivan Croxford, general manager of bttradespace.com, said: “The survey choices show how the celebrity and business worlds sometimes overlap.

“Leading business figures are becoming household names and showbiz personalities are increasingly pursuing business ventures to exploit their star status and enhance their income.

“Sir Alan Sugar epitomises this trend and is a good illustration of how businesspeople have crossed into mainstream popular culture.”

More than 100 people took part in the poll.