Richard Branson has been voted the most popular business guru in a poll conducted by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

The Virgin founder - who has established a business empire that has a reported net worth of £1.5bn - received 45% of the votes to emerge as a clear winner in the poll.

Dragons' Den star Peter Jones came second in the poll with 21% of the vote and The Apprentice boss Sir Alan Sugar received 18%.

Former Birmingham FC manging director and future Apprentice star Karen Brady received 6% and retail tycoon Phillip Green was voted for by 4% of respondents.

"It would appear that being on TV a lot is not the only influence on people's views about business achievement. While Richard Branson has been involved with some high-profile failures as well as successes, the public recognise that his drive and personality have had a massive impact on his business career," said Wyn Mears, director of ACCA UK.

Richard Branson was also recently voted the UK's favourite entrepreneur, according to a survey conducted by The Entrepreneurs Board, a business networking organisation. The Virgin founder received 58% of the votes in a survey of over 2,000 people.