It was once a truth universally acknowledged that a man in possession of a good fortune was in want of a trophy wife – but no longer. Economatics Professor paul Carlin from Purdue University in Indianapolis has discovered what every successful man really wants – an alpha female.

Dawn Gibbins, 48, is chairman of Flowcrete, a £35million International specialist flooring company based in Sandbach, Cheshire. Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year in 2003, she has been married to Mark Greaves, 44, Flowcrete’s managing director for 20 years. They live in a £1 million house in Congleton with their two daughters, April 16 and Michelle, 18.

Dawn says Mark is a wonderful husband. We’re both passionate, powerful people, but with different personalities which creates a balance. At home, I’m the lively, creative one. He’s the quieter and the structured one.

I met Mark at the company launch party in 1983. I was trying to recruit his dad. Mark was still at universitym did a work placement with us and we really clicked. I became really attracted to his kindness and that has since kept our relationship special.

The following summer, I organised an outing for both of our families and I seized my chance to make a move on Mark. He must have though: “Oh my God, I’m being seduced by my dad’s boss”.

He popped the question in 1986 after completing post-graduate studies at business school. I said yes at once, then he had to rush to the bank and take out a loan to buy a ring. We married when I found out I was expecting Michelle in 1987, by which time he had got a fantastic job at Shell. Then Mark got offered a transfer from Shell. He was trying to get me to move to Thailand but I had the babies and Flowcrete at home. So Mark halved his salary and joined me.

I never wanted to be a stay-at-home mum. I worked up until just a week before the girls were born and was back in the office in six weeks.

Mark agrees that alpha females are more attractive than stay at home wives. He says Dawn and I have full time careers and strong opinions. Together we have developed 26 operations based in 12 factories around the world.

We do have outside interests. I play rugby. Some of my rugby friends at intimidated by her; she’s a charismatic, dynamic and in-your-face woman.

We were friends for a long time before we became a couple. I think that’s the secet of what’s kept us together as partners in business and love.