Speaking at the start of the organisation's annual conference, Sir Clive Thompson attacked the goverment's increased regulation of business.

The "fat cat" label is applied indiscriminately, he said, and there is a "macabre delight" in highlighting failure to topple business heros from their pedestals.

Sir Clive: Reported to earn £466 an hour

Sir Clive referred to the controversial speech given in September by union leader John Edmonds, who told the TUC's annual conference that bosses who took huge pay rises were "greedy bastards".

In his speech, Sir Clive asks: "Would a latter-day Dick Whittington have 'turned again' to discover the streets of London paved with gold, if faced with a headline 'Dick go home you greedy bastard, be satisfied with what you've got'?

"We need more winners in the UK and to make Britain more friendly towards new and growing businesses.

"Only then will a a wish for an entrepreneurial society become a reality," he added.

Golden goose

Turning to business regulation, Sir Clive delivered a straightforward message to the government: "Do not suffocate the golden goose."

"I don't care if the tape is red, blue British or European. What disturbs me is the impact that it will have on all of us as we strive to run profitable businesses and keep all our employees in work.

He also warned that the business horizon had "darkened" since Labour came to power, because of an "unwanted increase" in legislation.

John Edmonds: Sparked a row with comments to TUC

Companies are faced with the Working Time Directive, legislation on trade union recognition and the national minimum wage of £3.60 an hour from next April.

On Sunday, Sir Clive was reported to earn £466 an hour in his job as chief executive of Rentokil.

The CBI says tax and administrative burdens on firms have risen over the past year and are hurting competitiveness at a difficult time for businesses.

It says a rising tax burden - £5bn extra a year - coupled with ongoing uncertainty about future changes are putting a strain on business.

Sir Clive said the government should not add to these burdens in the next Budget and, where possible, it should attempt to cut business taxes.