In less than ten years Ratner transformed his family’s jewellery business from a £13 million concern to the largest jeweller’s chain in the world, with turnover in excess of £1.2bn. Then, in 1993, he made an unguarded comment about some of the products sold being “total crap” and, after it suffered financial losses, was forced to sell the business – now renamed Signet – and start again.

He is now rebuilding his business empire with geraldonline – an online specialist diamond retailer which is the largest of its kind in the UK.

Lembit Opik was MP for Montgomeryshire from 1997 until his shock defeat at last year’s general election. He has been a regular guest on the BBC’s Have I Got News for You for several years, appeared on the latest series of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, and is currently establishing himself as a stand-up comedian. He also used to go out with Cheeky Girl Gabriela Irimia.

Nominations for the awards close on 1 February 2011 and can be made at bit.ly/endeals2011.