For years, the argument for greater female representation at the top of British business has been framed as a matter of fairness. Increasingly, however, the evidence suggests it is also a matter of performance. UK data consistently shows that companies with women in senior leadership roles, including chief executives and executive directors, tend to outperform those dominated by men, particularly on profitability, governance and long-term resilience. Research collated by the

When Susie Ma made the final payment to buy Lord Sugar out of Tropic Skincare at the end of last year, it marked the conclusion of a relationship that had shaped much of her adult life. The transaction restored full ownership of the company she founded as a teenager — but it also closed a chapter defined by financial anxiety, public scrutiny and the compromises that often come with early-stage funding. Tropic Skincare, which Ma set up with her mother more than two decades ago

While many gemstone collectors and jewellery designers have stepped into the spotlight, one man has remained in the shadows.  David Jerome has kept his story largely untold – until now.