Getting to know you: Dean Forbes Dean Forbes goes under the spotlight to tell us about his transformation from professional footballer to being the commercial leader of small and medium sized software firms.

Newcastle entrepreneur knocks out the opposition to win the title in global challenge Entrepreneur Ben Creighton from Newcastle has successfully fought off tough competition from some of the UK’s top business brains to be crowned winner of the Global Startup Challenge.

Entrepreneurs from round the globe take up the startup challenge In a bid to prove that small businesses can succeed in the midst of recession, Alibaba.com, the world’s largest online meeting place for buyers and suppliers, challenged entrepreneurs from across the UK to start their own trading companies with £1,000 each.

Multi-millionaire investor Richard Farleigh talks about success and failure Well-known for his two seasons on Dragons’ Den, Richard Farleigh was known as ‘Mr Nice’ but he says he would rather have been known as ‘Mr Fair’ due to his tough but fair approach. When he reviews business proposals that are looking for backing, he assesses these on the quality of the people rather than the product. He comments, “It’s about 90% quality of the people and 10% quality of the product. Most of my effort goes into somehow assessing the person, which can be trickier.”

Are you the Veuve Clicquot UK Business Woman of the Year There is just over a week to go to nominate female entrepreneurs for the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year Award. Nominations must be received by 18th January and include full accounts, press cuttings and curriculum vitae in order to be considered by the judges.

Ultimo chief Mone honoured in New Year Honours Michelle Mone, the head of underwear brand Ultimo has received an OBE in the New Year Honours announced today. The 38 year old Glaswegian who founded MJM in 1996 is the highest profile business leader who receives recognition in this years honours list.

James Caan awards website marketing account to rising star Dragon’s Den’s James Caan has handed the contract for revamping his personal and business website to digital marketing firm Digimax.

Profile: John Sandom John Sandom is the founder and chairman of one of the UK’s leading branding companies 1HQ. Since setting up 1HQ in 1993, the agency have gone on to become award winning pioneers in their field working with international brand owners all over the globe.

Young inventor scoops a £50,000 prize at The Pitch 2009 The entrepreneur behind an ingenious invention to prevent bike theft has been crowned the winner of the UK-wide pitching competition, The Pitch 2009, at a celebrity-packed grand final in London.

Profile: Julie Meyer Julie Meyer the founder of Ariadne Capital, First Tuesday and newest Dragon talks to Jon Card. As one of the foremost operators in the UK’s digital space she tells us about the web, who’s going to beat the recession and why being an entrepreneur is the best choice for the 21st century

Getting to know you: Rose Lewis We chat with Rose Lewis from Pembridge Partners about what inspires her, what you should be doing to boost your business and on cutting out business gobbledygook

Colin Maud named as Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Colin Maund, CEO of The Achilles Group was awarded with Ernst & Young’s UK Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2009 for IT Services, at a reception sponsored by the CBI, in London last week.

Bannatyne & Dewberry join Business Matters We are very proud to be able to announce that Duncan Bannatyne & Michelle Dewberry are joining the Business Matters team as monthly Columnists.

Both need very little introduction as Bannatyne is the self-made entrepreneur, chairman of the Bannatyne group and part of the hugely successful Dragons' Den team. Dewberry is the 2006 winner of The Apprentice, who has successfully launched her new business venture Chiconomise, whilst also continuing as a business consultant and public speaking engagements.

We look forward to their columns beginning with the November issue, out on Friday November 6th.

Profile: Scott Hider We chat to Scott Hider, the successful head of Nationwide Media Group, who spends the weekend as an MC & DJ at local clubs. A difficult balancing act? Well one that Scott balances well as his exhibitions are breaking all records.

Starting young: 23 year old named young entrepreneur of the year Graduate Rajeeb Dey was named as the winner of the O2 X Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the prestigious annual national small business competition, the O2 X Awards last night. The award recognises the new generation of young entrepreneurs who are making an impact in today’s challenging economic climate.

Life outside the Den: Peter Jones We chat to one of the UK's most famous angel investors, and part of the famous Dragons' Den quintet, Peter Jones about his business activities, his tips for success and what mistakes he has made along the way.

Profile: Simon Dolan We chat with Simon Dolan, managing director of SJD Accountancy and EasyAccountancy.co.uk about how he runs his business, what inspires him, who he admires and some great ideas and tips on how to grow your business.

Charlie Fermors' business with bite With the recession still looming in the background it is tougher than ever for graduates to secure employment with an estimated one third of recent graduates out of work. However, for this twenty two year old, Charlie Fermor student life is now a distant memory as he takes his company Apple Crisps to new heights just one year after graduating from Reading University.

Profile: Darren Leppard - Hard work & passion a realistic inspiration When it comes to thinking about careers and jobs, the pressure for students and graduates these days is immense. It is hard to imagine how you can achieve success without further education, and even though there are so many role models on TV of famous celebrities that have made an achievement in life without education, it is difficult to know how they got there and whether they just got lucky!

Profile: Karren Brady We talk to Karren Brady, who is set to take over from Margaret Mountford as Lord Sugar's eyes and ears on The Apprentice. Karren became managing director of Birmingham City football club at the age of 23; the only woman to hold this position in the premiership and the youngest director of a UK plc. Now 38, she is married to retired footballer Paul Peschisolido and lives in Birmingham with her two children – Sophia, 12, and Paolo, nine. Once the takeover is complete of Birmingham City FC it is widely predicted that she will blow full-time on her career as the first lady of football.