Speaker - James Caan

Thinking out of the box was more than just business jargon for James Caan in his early days in recruitment. Escaping the confines of a room in Pall Mall the size of a shoebox was the first goal of the 23-year-old who yearned to prove to his father that he could make his own way in life without joining the family business manufacturing leather garments.

“In a funny sort of a way everybody has a different reason why they are focused and for me, I was so desperate to get out of that broom cupboard I set myself a goal that the minute I made my first sale I had to move out of that office because I wanted so desperately to have an office with a window. Looking back from that tiny, tiny broom cupboard in Pall Mall to waking up and running truly global businesses was a tremendous sense of achievement,” he said.

Today, Caan, who is a regular in the Sunday Times Rich List, backs his own hunches and money on BBC's Dragons Den by listening to the dreams and aspirations of wannabe entrepreneurs who hope to make the big time like him.

He doesn't mind making on the spot decisions in front of the camera because it is what he does daily behind closed doors as a serial business backer.

“My passion is building businesses, but I back people rather than just their ideas. I relish seeing them grow and achieve their ambitions. It's a huge buzz to join them on their journey to success and see them fulfil their potential,” he said.

After escaping the shoebox he set up and grew the Alexander Mann Group, one of the UK's leading outsourcing companies, and achieved a turnover of £130 million before selling it to a private equity firm in 2002.

He also co-founded a head hunting firm which successfully expanded and grew globally with over 140 offices across 30 countries before it was purchased by a New York listed company.

He continues to invest in businesses and enjoy the fruits of his labour in a variety of ways and pursues his passion for sports and family life and zest for self improvement.

"As a boy, I learnt two very important lessons while watching my late father work long hours, seven days a week to make a success of his textile business.  Firstly, nothing is achieved without dedication and effort. Secondly, there is little point in hard work if you can't take time to enjoy the rewards and, if you are lucky enough to be able to, give something back," he said.

Although he did his best to avoid the early expectation of joining the family business, he yearned for the approval of his father.

“I was in business five or six years before I could truly say to you that he would stand at a party and say I am proud of James because he has done really well. Actually in the latter years of the business he became a true inspiration for me and I would certainly always point to him as being the one mentor that I probably took the most advice from.”

Providing business mentoring is one of the attractions of being on Dragons Den which has already provided him with fresh opportunities and challenges. He has also enjoyed putting his money to good use around the world and has been visiting locations where he can use his many talents.

“I'm not a fan of cheque book philanthropy, I believe in getting out of my comfort zone and going to see what needs to be done. I think this kind of work makes the greatest difference all round.”

One of his first projects was buying a plot of land in his native Lahore, in Southern Pakistan, where he has now built a school.

“I was thrilled to be able to invite the local children who could not afford education to attend for free. The adrenaline I get from doing this is greater than any deal and it is something I plan to devote much more time to in the future.”

In 2000 he visited Kosovo with Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) and was appalled by the suffering he saw. He adopted a village where 600 children live and gave the families a monthly allowance which he hopes will help them rebuild their lives. After Kashmir’s devastating earthquake of 2005 he also helped provide relief by building houses.

“Closer to home, I am a great supporter of the NSPCC's Full Stop Campaign which I feel is an excellent way of helping the children of this country. Through my support and contacts we have successfully raised over £1 million for this very worthwhile cause. I’ve been very fortunate in my own life and I feel privileged to be able to help those who have been less fortunate.”

In the opening credits of Dragons Den he is seen in his speed boat. Having a life outside of business is important – it is the right sort of life balance. He travels regularly to the South of France where he has a home and enjoys being with his wife and children and enjoying pursuits like skiing, tennis and snooker as well as his passion for vintage cars.

“I gave myself a year off when I turned forty and learnt to fly airplanes and helicopters. I also took up sailing in between my studies at Harvard Business School.”

He has graduated from Harvard's prestigious Advanced Management Programme and a couple of years ago he was named PricewaterhouseCoopers' Entrepreneur of the Year. He has also received the Enterprise of the Year Award and was recently a Resident Entrepreneur Mentor for MBA students at the London Business School.