Earlier this year, Mr Hick spent nine days undercover in Hendon, Sunderland, where he saw the impact of the recession at street level, including issues of mental health, alcoholism and drugs.

The area is still reeling from the closure of its once world-leading shipyards two decades ago.

On the programme, Mr Hick talks publicly for the first time about his own mental breakdown six years ago.

He says: "One in four of us will be touched by mental health problems in our lifetime, yet there is still a stigma to it.

"I was incredibly lucky in having supportive family, colleagues and friends so I made a full recovery and moved on.

"There remains a big part of me wanting to help those who hit problems each year and those who are long term sufferers."

An innovator, Mr Hick has been spotting business opportunities since the age of 13.

Leeds and London-based Directorbank is Europe's leading provider of senior directors to private equity and venture capital backed companies, helping to create many millionaires each year.

Apart from The Directorbank Group, his other businesses include the Spencer Arms, a gastro pub near Barnsley; Blue Sky Cruising and CallUma – a 24/7 multilingual help service for tourists around the world.

His most recent idea is The Brand Cellar which buys recognised western brands from administrators and licenses them worldwide.

The programme will be screened on Channel 4 on Easter Sunday (9pm) when Mr Hick will be seen visiting three charities - Headlight, a drop-in centre to support people with mental health issues; Sunderland Maritime Heritage, a community project to preserve artefacts and skills of shipyard workers, and Sit'nBFit which runs chair or wheelchair-based exercise classes for elderly and infirm people.

The amount of money he gives to the projects will be revealed in Sunday's show.