Sean O’Connor doesn’t meet the archetypal image of a business tycoon.

He’s not thrusting, brash and dominating. Instead he’s quietly spoken, modest and down-to-earth.

But this Bradford-lad-made-good has obviously got what it takes to succeed in the cut-throat world of commerce and has come a long way since his first taste of work delivering the T&A in Buttershaw for 25p a day as an 11-year-old schoolboy.

Nouse, determination, luck, the ability to spot opportunities, together with a willingness to take risks, are just some of the qualities needed to become a successful entrepreneur.

So Sean must have them in spades as he’s amassed a £30m fortune before his 30th birthday and is already running his second business empire.

Sean grew up in Wibsey, where his family still lives, and where he regularly returns to see his mates and enjoy some home cooking.

The county-standard table tennis player was studying for a sports management degree at Northumbria University in Newcastle when he got the business bug.

Sean said: “I had realised early on that gaining a degree would increase my employability and would also improve my chances of getting a decent job.

“I got a job working in sales for Nike for two years which was great experience, but it was then that I realised that life in a major corporate wasn’t my style.

“I suppose it was also the time when I realised that I had some entrepreneurial skills, and decided that working for myself was the best route.”

At the age of 23, Sean decided to join the property game – which at that time was booming, and provided a route to fortune for successful developers.

So, while keeping his sales job, he decided to take the plunge and took out a £70,000 mortgage on his first property in Gateshead This was the start of an operation that saw him buy, refurbish and let a growing portfolio of properties. During this time Sean moved to a better-paid job at Mars to help maintain his expanding property interests, funded mainly by profits made from selling refurbished premises, mainly houses.

Having built up a portfolio of around 40 properties worth more than £5m, from Essex to the North-East, Sean saw the market start to decline and decided to change course.

He researched new opportunities and identified the fast-developing ‘green market’ as having major investment potential.

Sean launched Clean Energy Capital plc in 2007 and has secured funds for green projects in the UK, Latin America, Middle East and the USA.

CEC uses clients’ money to invest in green and alternative technology projects – and is also a carbon trading business. Green projects include desalination of seawater and technology to convert waste into energy and eliminate landfill.

Sean said: “Green projects need development funding. We have provided a service for a select group of high net-worth and institutional clients who are attracted to the unprecedented commercial opportunities.”

He added: “The carbon markets have seen exceptional growth since their inception. As more governments and the various legislators integrate, and the market matures, this new currency is set to experience continued growth.

“We are positioning ourselves to take advantage of that growth as it cascades from the heavy emitters gradually through all types of companies and eventually to individuals.”

On his success, Sean says: “Obviously having succeeded and made some money is great. But it’s not changed my attitude to life. I can afford some of the good things, but keeping in touch with friends and family remains the most important thing, and they keep my feet firmly on the ground.”

FACT FILE

  • Sean O’Connor is 29 and was born at St Luke’s Hospital, Bradford, and grew up in Wibsey.

  • He attended St Walburga’s Primary School and St Bede’s Grammar School.

  • In his youth he was a keen table tennis player, reaching Bradford and Yorkshire level, with one appearance for English Schools.

  • He graduated with a first-class honours degree in sports management from Northumbia University Sean lives in Roundhay, Leeds, with wife Jilly, whom he met during his university days.

  • He enjoys attending the gym, playing squash and eating out.