Apprentice winner Leah to follow in footsteps of Karren Brady

Leah Totton has won the all-women final of BBC's 'The Apprentice,' securing a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar.

The 24-year-old doctor from Derry in Northern Ireland beat fellow contestant Luisa Zissman in a hard-fought competition, earning her the cash injection to set up her own chain of cosmetic clinics across the country.

Drawing on her experience as an NHS doctor, Leah's clinics will offer anti-ageing treatments including chemical peels and dermal fillers.

As Leah embarks upon her new career, we take a look at five of the most successful British business women who have paved the way for female entrepreneurship in the UK.

Karren Brady - Estimated Net Worth £82 million

The First Lady of football and Lord Sugar's right hand woman, Karen became the managing director of Birmingham City F.C. at the age of 23. In 2010 she was appointed vice-chairman of West Ham United. As well as her high-profile roles in the world of football, the mother-of-two sits on the board of Sir Philip Green's Arcadia group, writes a newspaper column for The Sun and has authored four books.

Mantra: "Women have brains and uteruses, and are able to use both."

Michelle Mone - Estimated Net Worth £39 million

Scottish entrepreneur Michelle's multi-million pound idea came to her during a dinner party. Having to suffer through an evening wearing a very uncomfortable 'cleavage enhancing' bra gave her the notion to launch her own line of sexy yet wearable lingerie.

In 2000, Ultimo was launched in Selfridges and has gone on to earn an annual turnover of £42 million (2011). Stars including Helena Christensen, Rachel Hunter and Michael Buble's wife Luisana Lopilato have all modelled for the brand.

Mantra: "Every product has to be the best, I don't accept second best."

[Pregnant Katie Price slams maternity leave as 'an excuse to do nothing']

['Winning the lottery at 16 nearly broke me']

Deborah Meaden - Estimated Net Worth £39 million

'Dragon's Den' stalwart Deborah might be a success now, but she's had her fair share of failures too. At 19, she moved from her native Somerset to Italy and set up a glass and ceramics export agency. The business collapsed after just 18 months but Deborah credits the experience with teaching her one of the most important lessons in business - don't waste your time flogging a dead horse. Since then the 54-year-old has been involved with numerous British industries from textiles to amusement arcades to holiday parks, all of which have made her a tidy sum.

Mantra: "Get on and do it, because no-one else is going to do it for you."

Jacqueline Gold - Estimated Net Worth £537 million

In the 1980s, Jacqueline did what no-one thought possible - turned a chain of sex shops into a high-street brand and effectively changed British women's attitude towards sexuality. After her father set up Ann Summers sex shops, Jacqueline (inspired by a Tupperware party) launched at-home sex toy parties for women to come together, discuss sex and purchase their very own vibrator.

Since being made the Chief Executive in 1987, Jacqueline has put an Ann Summers on every British high street and proved that Brits aren't total prudes, not if her annual turnover of £150 million is anything to go by.

Mantra: "I hope I've demonstrated that you can be successful but stay feminine and true to yourself."

Katie Price - Estimated Net Worth £40 million

Former glamour model Katie (aka Jordan) started out in lads mags at the tender age of 18. She made a name for herself thanks to her surgically enhanced breasts, going up to a 32FF, before branching out into any business she could think of. Perfumes, novels, jewellery, newspaper columns, lingerie, even an equestrian range have seen this reality star amass a net worth of £40 million. Love her or loathe her, Katie is a shrewd business woman and she's not going anywhere.

Mantra: "I've got a lovely home which I'm very proud of, I drive a nice car and I’m able to pursue my horse-riding hobby. But my kids still go to state school and my motto is 'Don't flash the cash'."