James Caan

Dragons Den star and entrepreneur

James Caan is CEO of private equity firm Hamilton Bradshaw and has been building and selling businesses since 1985. He also co-founded executive head-hunting firm Humana International. His topics are motivation, leadership and maximizing potential.

Jamess business success has been built on recognizing the importance of people. Since launching the executive recruitment firm Alexander Mann in 1985 he has invested in people businesses and inherently placed a high value on his staff. This is the cornerstone of how he now operates Hamilton Bradshaw and in developing the businesses in which he invests through the BBC TV show Dragons Den.

In 2001 James was awarded the BT Enterprise of the Year Award for outstanding success in business, and in 2003 he was named PWC Entrepreneur of the Year. That same year, having successfully graduated from the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School, James also won the Entrepreneur category in the Asian Jewel Awards.

He set up London-based Hamilton Bradshaw in 2004, the private equity company specialises in buyouts, venture capital, turnarounds and real estate investments and development opportunities throughout Europe.