David Ross came to prominence on the corporate scene through his part in one of the runaway success stories of British business.

In 1991, he joined his schoolfriend, Charles Dunstone, as finance director of Carphone Warehouse, a new company selling portable telephones, in the days when the now ubiquitous devices were brick-sized novelties.

Mr Dunstone and Mr Ross were both former pupils of Uppingham School in Leicestershire. The business began as a single outlet in 1989, funded by £6,000 of Mr Dunstone's savings.

Now 43, Mr Ross studied law at Nottingham University and went on to train as an accountant after graduating in 1987.

He began his career at Arthur Andersen, then one of the global leaders in accountancy, before its collapse into disgrace after its auditing of Enron.

Mr Ross is the grandson of John Carl Ross, who turned a small family firm into one of the UK's major suppliers and manufacturers of fish.

The Ross Group, which began in Grimsby with a fleet of four fishing vessels in the 1930s, went on to acquire its rival Young's in 1959 but, after decades of takeovers, mergers and demergers, it became part of Young's Bluecrest, the frozen fish company.

Mr Ross was ranked 87 in this year's Sunday Times Rich List, with an estimated fortune of £873 million. Over the years he has diverted much of his wealth towards property.

In 2000 he bought Nevill Holt, a 30,000 sq ft house in Leicestershire, which dates back to the 13th century and was home to the Cunard family, who made their fortune in shipping.

Nancy Cunard, the writer and society hostess shipping heiress, was born at the house in 1896. She became famous in Jazz Age photographs for the armfuls of bangles she wore — she had a collection of more than 1,000.

Mr Ross made Nevill Holt his own with a combination of renovation and restoration, and the addition of a gold Land Rover, used by Ranulph Fiennes on one of his Arctic expeditions.

The Ross Group ensign, a white star on a green background, has flown on the flagpole — a gift from his parents — above the mansion.

During the week, Mr Ross lives in Knightsbridge in London. He also owns a villa on Mustique, the Caribbean island and millionaire's playground.

In 2002 he bought Manor Farm, a 1500-acre estate in Northamptonshire, but recently put the property up for sale. Two years ago, his stepsister and her partner were murdered there by her estranged husband.

Mr Ross's private life has often drawn media interest. Former partners include Saffron Aldridge, the model and once a face of Ralph Lauren, and Michelle Ross, a dancer, with whom he has a son, Carl Cosmo Thomas.

The couple, who were never married but share the same surname, met by chance at Heathrow airport in 2001. They attracted attention four years ago when Ms Ross was found guilty of benefit fraud.

Mr Ross's hobbies include opera: each July Grange Park Opera, the Hampshire-based company, performs dates at Nevill Holt.

He also has a taste for the pursuits of the country squire. He spends the shooting season at his Leicestershire house, and in 2007 he spent £22 million on an 11,000-acre grouse moor in North Yorkshire.

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