Business is business. It can be a tough and uncompromising arena with little room for sentiment. In order to succeed at the highest end of the market you have to have qualities that transcend the everyday ‘man in the street’.

The men and women who sit at the top table of both the British and wider world of industry and commerce are not only supremely talented, motivated and driven individuals in their own right, but they possess the ability to inspire others who aspire to emulate their success.

After all, success breeds success and nobody is better placed to lead the way than this hugely impressive collection of those who can both talk the talk and very much walk the walk.