Karren Brady

I think the term feminist is scary for women, because it means that you're extreme in some way, and I'm not extreme in any way, although I do passionately believe that a woman's role within any organisation is to assist and help other women.

It is critical to create opportunities to identify talented women in business, then support them to develop their confidence to aim for the boardroom.

Too many women don't see themselves in senior leadership and so don't push themselves to advance their careers as their male peer group do.

If I can encourage other women to think about setting up their own businesses and being entrepreneurs and making a contribution then I think that's a good thing.

Winning the BAFTA for 'Young Apprentice' felt great. It's really nice to be part of the winning team.

On 'The Apprentice,' I'm 100 per cent certain I'm paid the same as Claude Littner. I insisted on equality when I negotiated my contract. I would not have allowed anything else.

My greatest mistake? I once took a three-day maternity leave. I had my daughter on a Wednesday, and then went back to the office on the Monday to sack a manager.

I think it doesn't actually matter what your political persuasion is, but if you are interested in the country that you live in and the way in which it's run, everyone has to do something about that.

I'm not going to become an MP and I'm not going to be London Mayor. I have no political ambitions.

The only thing I wanted when I left school was independence. I had been at boarding school for many years. When you're boarding, nothing is your own and your whole day is scheduled. You're told when to sleep, what to eat and when. You have zero independence.

The one thing I wanted was independence. And I realised to have that independence, you needed financial independence.

If I'm going to spend money, I'd rather it be on a fabulous location or food, not gambling.