The City & Guilds Vocational Rich List 2011 ranks the 100 wealthiest Britons to have made their fortune through apprenticeships and other practical qualifications, rather than an academic degree.

Celebrities include Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden (position 63 with £40m), celebrity chef Jamie Oliver (position 33rd with £106m) and motor racing boss Ron Dennis (position 20th place with £117m). All feature in a new rich list designed to demonstrate the importance of vocational qualifications.

The list is topped by JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford, with a fortune of £2.15bn. Diamond magnate Laurence Graff came in second with £2bn, closely followed by property tycoon John Caudwell, serial inventor Sir James Dyson and telecoms chief Sir Terry Matthews.

Elaine Owen Managing Director of Designated Associates said,

"This is such an important inspirational list - as someone who has never fitted into the typical academic learning style I applaud City & Guilds for creating this list and for those individuals honest enough to share with all the alternative routes to success."

This is the seventh edition of the City & Guilds Vocational Rich List, updated this year to celebrate WorldSkills London 2011 - the world's biggest skills competition - which showcases the exceptional talents and ambitions of young people in the UK.

Source: http://www.startups.co.uk/dragons-den-star-deborah-meaden-features-on-vocational-rich-list.html