She's been arrested twice, taken to court and even been sent a bullet in the post, but Jacqueline Gold, Ann Summers' unflappable chief exec, is as defiant as ever. Speaking at MT's Inspiring Women conference Gold told delegates they need to take ownership of their success. 'Why do we feel the need for validation? Men don't,' she said.

Gold is credited with turning the sex toy and lingerie brand from a fringe company to a stunning success. When she started at the business, which was owned by her father David, it was turning over just £83,000. By making the business more female-friendly, particularly with her pioneering Ann Summers Parties, she has turned it into by far the UK's biggest adult retailer, turning over £145m per year.