Harry Potter writer J.K. Rowling has been voted as the most inspiring businesswoman.

Rowling's tales about the boy wizard have made her millions since the first book hit shelves in 1997. She has beaten Oprah Winfrey and Victoria Beckham to top the list of star who inspires London residents to become their own boss, reports contactmusic.com.

Media mogul Winfrey and singer-turned-designer Beckham, who stood at fifth and sixth respectively, came behind "Girls Aloud" star Cheryl Cole, who was voted fourth.

Singing sisters Dannii and Kylie Minogue also made the top ten - taking ninth and tenth places respectively in the poll by website OfficeCavalry.com.

Cole and Minogue's fellow The X Factor judge Simon Cowell came second on the men's survey, behind businessman and TV star Alan Sugar.