Dragons - Peter Jones

As a schoolboy Peter's parents saved up to send him to private school but he found it difficult to adapt to the change and returned to state school for the rest of his education. The feeling of power gained from sitting in his dad's office chair as a boy sparked his motivation to make big money.

Peter's entrepreneurial journey started early when, at the age of 16, he founded a tennis academy. His career then took a technical curve, setting up a computer business and later a computer support company.

Peter then experienced a run of bad luck in the form of a "fun if costly mistake" investing in a restaurant and losing his house and cars when his computer business closed.

Since first appearing in 2005 Peter has agreed investments of £1,741,666.66 in 29 separate businesses.

At the age of 28, Peter joined corporate giant Siemens Nixdorf and ran its computer business in the UK.

In 1998 he founded Phones International Group, a telecommunications firm that now generates revenues in excess of £200m.

His business interests range from telecoms, leisure, publishing to TV and media. Peter has won many national awards, including Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year in 2002.

Now in his early forties, Peter is considered to be one of the UK's leading young businessmen.

The Peter Jones Foundation was established in 2005, to offer funding and support to underprivileged children in the UK. Through the foundation Peter has also set up the National Enterprise Academy, working with the government's New Enterprise Scheme to shift the boardroom to the classroom. The course for 16 - 19 year old entrepreneurs will open its doors in September 2009.

In 2008 a national newspaper challenged Peter to sit an A level business studies exam which he passed with flying colours, gaining an A grade without formally studying the course material.

Peter was awarded a CBE in the 2009 New Years Honours List for services to business, entrepreneurship and young people.

Name: Peter Jones

Age: 42

Family: Tara and children Annabelle, William, Natalia, Isabella, Tallulah

Pets: Dog called Holly

Describe yourself: Energetic, fun, driven, honest and caring

Estimated wealth: In the hundreds of millions

Most outrageous purchase: A stay on Necker Island for my friends and family

One thing I always spend the extra on: I don't scrimp on cars

The one thing I look for in employees: Initiative and loyalty

Best job I've had: Being a Dad

Worst job I've had: I haven't had one

Favourite holiday destination: Portugal

Favourite film: All the James Bond films

Favourite sport, team and player: Tennis and Annabel Croft

Favourite pitch: Levi Roots's Reggae Reggae Sauce

Best investment: Most of mine have done well

The one that got away: They never get away

I'd never invest in: Dishonest or scruffy people

Best advice you've been given: There's no such thing as failure, only feedback

People you admire: Nelson Mandela

Your motto would be: For a dream to become reality, make it real enough to believe in

For impressing in an interview / pitch

Be truthful, spell out your achievements but don't make up qualifications and previous jobs. If you are honest you will establish a reputation for reliability with your boss and colleagues.

For running your own business

Be results orientated, this will help you to be more motivated, and leave you with a sense of achievement when you reach your goals. Think carefully about what you want, and then focus on how to get there. You'd be amazed at how many people don't do this.

For surviving the recession

Protect your job by making your boss aware of how committed you are

For getting your product to market

Create a strong brand identity

For winning investment

Passion and commitment are vital ingredients of a winning pitch

For making millions

Always be confident, believe in what you are doing and don't waver. You won't persuade other people to believe in you if you don't believe in yourself.