Mary Portas, Queen of the High Street 91 (80)
Her review was derided, her town teams revolted and now, Mary Queen of the High Street has been blasted for ignoring the, ahem high street. There’s something about Mary… people don’t like.
Lindsey Pownall, CEO, Samworth Brothers 92 (92)
Pownall has been busy planning for the future after taking over from long-time CEO Brian Stein a year ago. She plans to build a new plant in Leicestershire next year that could create up to 700 jobs
Paul Foley, International business dir, Iceland 93
Foley returned to Iceland last September after 23 years away to marshall its international expansion. As well as expanding the franchise business across Europe, he is also eyeing South Africa
Anna Soubry, Health minister, DH 94
Overseeing the Responsibility Deal, Soubry is putting huge pressure on suppliers to cut salt and calories, and to sign up to new front-of-pack labelling plans, after a damning DH report this week
Edwin Booth, Chairman, Booths 95 (89)
Booth is banking on a major refurb programme and a renewed focus on quality and service to revive Booths’ fortunes. In 2012, profits fell more than a third despite the opening of two new stores
Peter Kendall, President, NFU 96
Prompting pledges from the highest echelons in retail to source more UK produce, ‘Horsegate’ has given British farming - and its figurehead Peter Kendall - more power than for years.
Ben Reid, CEO, Midcounties Co-op 97
Midcounties is leading the way among regional co-ops, posting a 7.3% increase in profits. Last month it broke through the £1bn turnover barrier thanks to its fledgling energy business.
Roger Whiteside, CEO, Greggs 98
He only took over as CEO in February, but Whiteside has already endured a profit warning following the revelation Greggs has shrunk its pasties. However, its wholesale arm continues to expand
Richard Clothier, MD, Wyke Farms 99
In a market of big hitters, a small player must punch above its weight. Clothier has the art down to a T, whether a photo op with the PM or a Facebook campaign against a Morrisons delisting
Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge 100
Why? Well, our fabulous future Queen may not be poised to join the board at Tesco, but she does have the potential to make sales of baby brands sky-rocket. If the Duchess is papped feeding her baby a particular brand of babyfood, it would be wise to crank up production. The same goes for wipes and powdered milk. Like an endorsement from the gods, brands can’t buy the positive PR that would be generated if Kate gives them the regal nod. Forget the Delia Effect, the Middleton Effect is set to be thermonuclear by comparison. The only question is: which premium babyfood brands will benefit most?
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