Only 53 per cent of entrepreneurs have a business role model that they look up to, according to a new survey by asset-based financier, Venture Finance.
Unsurprisingly, Richard Branson came out on top with 52 per cent of respondents naming the founder and CEO of the Virgin Group.
Another thirty business figureheads were named, including EasyJet founder Stelios Haji Ioannou, Chairman and Chief Software Architect of the Microsoft Group Bill Gates and owner of the Arcadia retail group, Philip Green.
Out of all the votes, only five of the leaders were women, a figure that may reflect ongoing attitudes towards gender in the workplace.
These included founder and CEO of the Bodyshop, Anita Roddick, Martha Lane Fox, co-founder of Lastminute.com and Jacqueline Gold, CEO of Anne Summers.
“It’s interesting to see so many familiar names that have been around for quite some time, but quite shocking that 46 per cent of respondents couldn’t actually name anyone", said Alison Small, director of Venture Finance.
“Does this highlight a need for some new movers and shakers for a new business generation? Or, could it be that the inspiration for our SME’s simply lies closer to home, in those they come across during the course of their business careers?
