Owns 299 Italian-style coffee houses across Britain

Inspired by his favourite European haunts while writing his PhD, Gerry Ford set out to bring the continental coffee experience to Britain. He founded this coffee-house group in 1997 and floated it on the London Stock Exchange four years later. He then teamed up with Paladin, the venture-capital company he also co-founded, to buy it back in February in a deal valuing the business at a reported £225m. Ford hopes to take the Caffè Nero brand to northern Europe and the Middle East, building on the allure of Italian espresso coffee and deli-style food. He is also looking to expand in Britain from 300 to 450 shops by 2010. The company's profits have grown 77% a year from £1.6m in 2003 to £9.1m in 2006.

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