Alan Sugar: Businessman, Media Personality, & Former Politician
Sir Alan Michael Sugar, best known to the British public as Lord Sugar and affectionately known as “Uncle”, is a self-made billionaire entrepreneur and media personality who is familiar to households worldwide. Sugar is one of Britain’s most celebrated businessmen and has succeeded in numerous industries. He is also a former politician and philanthropist who is committed to helping Britain’s next generation of entrepreneurs reach their potential.
Early Life
The life of Alan Sugar, which began in Hackney, London, on 24th March 1947, was far from luxurious. Growing up with his family in a council flat, he attended a grammar school and left at the age of 16. He then sold car aerials and electrical goods out of a van before eventually going into business. He had always been interested in electronics, and this showed in his initial inventions and products.
Business Career
At the ripe age of just 21, Alan Sugar started his first business, called Amstrad (Alan Michael Sugar Trading). Initially started as a consumer electronics company, it quickly became a success and went on to specialize in consumer electronics, computers and communications.
Further Business Ventures
In 1987, Sugar then formed an IT group called Viglen. In 1998, the group acquired Business Computers Ltd and went into financial services. The companies linked to Viglen, such as Digital Networks and Sherwood AV Systems, all proved incredibly successful. Sugar then moved into the property sector in 1998, after acquiring the property company Amsprop.
Media Career
Alan Sugar’s notable business success and experience has seen him become a household name and media personality, perhaps best known for his role as the host of the business-oriented game show The Apprentice. In addition to this, Sugar has also appeared on various documentaries, had numerous interviews, and wrote books.
Political Career
In 2009, Alan Sugar was appointed as the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s enterprise champion. He is an advocate for British business, and focused on helping them to become more efficient and productive. This role was suspended when Sugar was appointed to the House of Lords, in August 2009. He took the Labour whip on his entry, but then left the party in 2015.
Philanthropy
Over the course of his career, Alan Sugar has contributed to various charities and greatly helped with the relief of poverty and other issues. In 2011, he donated £5 million to Great Ormond Street Hospital, making him the largest individual donor in its history. He has also put field hospitals in place to help with testing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Net Worth
According to the Sunday Times Rich List of 2020, Alan Sugar is one of the UK’s wealthiest people with an estimated net worth of £1.167 billion. On top of his estimated net worth, Sugar is also the proud recipient of several awards and honours. These include an OBE for service to business and manufacturing in 2000, and a knighthood for services to business in 2003.
Alan Sugar is a strong and inspirational figure, and an example of what can be achieved with determination and drive. Despite not having had been born into a wealthy family and having to finance his own education, Sugar has managed to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs and politicians that Britain has seen. Indeed, he is a great testament to the success of hard work and ambition, and one which many young people would do well to look up to.
