Dragons - James Caan

James began in business working out of a room the size of a shoebox on Pall Mall and has been creating, building, and selling businesses ever since.

James says his father, who worked day and night to establish his leather-trading business when he moved to London from Pakistan in the 60s, is his inspiration to work hard, be successful and give something back.

Since first appearing in 2007 James has invested £906,666.66 in 14 businesses.

He left school at 16 and rather than joining the family business decided to go it alone, taking office and retail jobs until he found his forte in recruitment. In 1985, he set up the Alexander Mann Group, one of the UK's leading HR outsourcing companies, and achieved a turnover of £130m before selling it to a private equity firm in 2002.

James also co-founded an executive headhunting firm with partner Doug Bougie, which they successfully expanded globally through its Humana International brand, growing to over 147 offices across 30 countries before it was bought by a New York-listed company.

A graduate of Harvard Business School's prestigious Advanced Management Programme, in 2003 Caan was named PricewaterhouseCoopers' Entrepreneur of the Year and was recently a Resident Entrepreneur Mentor for MBA students at London Business School.

In 2006, the James Caan Foundation was set up to help children in both the western and developing world. James supports the NSPCC's full stop campaign as well as being involved in a number of educational charities, helping deprived children in the UK and India to get a good education.

James is also proud to have built schools in his native Lahore, Pakistan where local children can attend lessons for free. He lives in London with his wife and enjoys regularly meeting up with his two grown-up daughters.

Name: James Caan

Age: 48

Family: Married with two daughters

Describe yourself: Calm, focused, passionate

Estimated wealth: Undisclosed

Vehicles owned: Rolls Royce Phantom, Maybach, Aston Martin Volante, Range Rover.

Property owned: Various and always in flux, but my home is in North London and I have an apartment in Cannes

Most outrageous purchase: My yacht

One thing I always spend the extra on: Holidays - you always need to recharge

Best job I've had: Working for myself

Worst job I’ve had: When I took a sabbatical I almost died of boredom!

Favourite film: The Godfather

Favourite holiday destination: Cannes

Favourite sport, team and player: I'm not particularly sporty, but I admire Roger Federer's ultimate professionalism and his focus, and I did enjoy Shahid Afridi's amazing exploits at the 20/20 Cricket World Cup.

Favourite pitch: There's one on the new series I particularly like, but you'll have to wait and see.

Best investment: In the Den, probably Choc Box, outside the Den, a small fashion business I backed. I married the person I invested in!

The one that got away: Always something we Dragons like to discuss - possibly the non-tangle hairbrush?

Things that interest me: Passion, Yachting, Art, Business, Education

I'd never invest in: Ryman's

Best advice you've been given: Attitude and Aptitude determine Altitude

People you admire: Bob Geldof for his passion, Bill Gates for his commitment to humanity, Lance Armstrong for his courage.

Your motto would be: Observe the masses and do the opposite

For impressing in an interview / pitch

Dress appropriately - simple but true

Be concise and focused

Make sure the pitch is of mutual benefit and that you can clearly describe that

Know your numbers

For running your own business

In one phrase - the devil is in the detail

For surviving the recession

With change comes opportunity - seize it when you see it

For getting your product to market

Get it OUT THERE - be seen to be sold

Don't take no for an answer

Communicate face to face and over the phone - don't hide behind a computer

For winning investment

Know your numbers

Know your market

Know your product

Know your competition

For making millions

Unfortunately there is no secret recipe - great businesses are 5% concept, 95% execution- so believe me, there is no substitute for hard work, I'm sorry to say.