It's depressing that ambition and feminism have become almost dirty words for working women. But, there is no reason that they should be and, increasingly, I am struck by how the next generation is challenging conceptions of what it means to be successful at work.

Karren Brady

The most important characteristics you need to succeed in business are resilience, determination and persistence.

Karren Brady

You don't really do much in life unless you take risks, push yourself and find your passion.

Karren Brady

We've got to start making people realise that it's a proud thing to run a business, to export your goods around the country.

Karren Brady

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.

Karren Brady

Running your own business can be the loneliest job in the world. You are the MD, answer the phone and make tea, handle the invoices and have to make payments on time.

Karren Brady

Any board executive can forget just how many people helped them get where they are. Those women who have got to the top need actively to ensure there is a pipeline of younger women, whether by networking or mentoring, who in turn are encouraging those below them.

Karren Brady

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

Karren Brady

I've met some very difficult people and I've had some very difficult conversations and had lots of criticism, especially from away supporters who sing songs that aren't very pleasant. So I think part and parcel of life is accepting that not everyone likes you.

Karren Brady

By the time I sold Birmingham City football club in 2009, 75% of the directors were women, which I take great pride in - that's unique in business, full stop.

Karren Brady

The characteristics of successful business people, whether they are male or female, are very similar. It's about determination, it's about enthusiasm, it's about strategy, it's about communication, it's about integrity. And sometimes men and women display those differently but fundamentally they are the same qualities.

Karren Brady

I don't invest in shares in companies that don't have women on their board.

Karren Brady

I love to think about business. It's what makes me happy.

Karren Brady

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.

Karren Brady

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

Karren Brady

There's only two things that I really care about - apart from family - one is business and the other is women in business.

Karren Brady

I can never fully switch off given my work, but laying on the beach replying to a few emails on my mobile is much better than being stuck in the office.

Karren Brady

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.

Karren Brady

What I love about London is you can go out of your door and turn left or right, and you could eat at every restaurant and still never go round in a loop.

Karren Brady

I don't take things to heart. And I'm not particularly emotional.

Karren Brady

I love knowing that if I was dropped off in Trafalgar Square, I could walk in any direction and see something amazing or eat something delicious.

Karren Brady