Are there any Famous Entrepreneurs that didn’t do GCSEs?

Posted by admin on February 7th, 2010 and filed under famous entrepreneurs | 5 Comments »


I’m sure there are but I don’t know them. The existence of famous entrepreneurs without GCSEs takes nothing away from the importance of basic education.

It’s a competitive world out there – even for entrepreneurs, so you need all the edge you can get.

If I was to start a list famous entrepreneurs WITH GCSEs, there won’t be enough room here.

Edit: I found a site with a list of famous/rich ‘drop-outs’ to answer your question. See the link below.

Wondered if we should do a list of non-famous non-etrepreneural drop-outs?!

5 Responses

  1. FrancoisDerain Says:

    I’m sure there are but I don’t know them. The existence of famous entrepreneurs without GCSEs takes nothing away from the importance of basic education.

    It’s a competitive world out there – even for entrepreneurs, so you need all the edge you can get.

    If I was to start a list famous entrepreneurs WITH GCSEs, there won’t be enough room here.

    Edit: I found a site with a list of famous/rich ‘drop-outs’ to answer your question. See the link below.

    Wondered if we should do a list of non-famous non-etrepreneural drop-outs?!
    References :
    http://www.education-reform.net/dropouts2.htm

  2. Kernow Lady Says:

    Sir Alan Sugar. Started selling out of the back of a van when he was 16.
    References :

  3. Doctor Deth Says:

    probably most of the famous ones did not do them – especially anyone from the USA, since we don;t even know what GCSE’s are
    References :

  4. just trying to make a difference Says:

    yeah loads!

    1) The obvious one: Entrepreneur and TV tough guy Alan Sugar, estimated fortune £830m, was born in Hackney, the son of a tailor. He left school at 16 and was soon selling car aerials and electrical goods out of a van

    But some other well known people who’ve done well for themselves:

    2) Blunt judge Simon Cowell left school before the sixth form. He took a few menial jobs, but did not get along well with co-workers and bosses, until his father, an EMI executive, managed to get him a job in the mail room… it went on from there!

    3) Though he was a poor student, Richard Branson stuck it out at Stowe school until he was 15

    4) The legend that is Ozzy Osbourne reportedly suffered from dyslexia. He left school at 15, then found work as a construction site labourer, trainee plumber, apprentice toolmaker, car-factory worker and slaughterhouse assistant before becoming big

    5) Health secretary – and former education secretary – Alan Johnson left Sloane grammar school in Chelsea at 15. He stacked shelves at Tesco before becoming a postman at 18

    6) Director Guy Ritchie was expelled at 15. He says it was drug use. His father, however, has said it was for ‘cutting lessons and entertaining a girl in his room’

    just goes to show that exam results aren’t everything… it’s getting your hands dirty & doing the work which can lead to big sucess if you’re motivated enough :)
    References :
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/gallery/2008/dec/02/drop-out-school-leaving-age?picture=340166939

  5. Jan409 Says:

    Remember only England do GCSE’s

    so off course there are
    loads of famous entrepreneurs in the UK and beyond
    who have little or no formal qualifications.
    References :

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