Vote now for your personality of the year: www.grocercup.co.uk

The Grocer Cup for Outstanding Business Achievement will be presented at the IGD Food Awards in London on 14 October to the individual who has inspired the most outstanding results and made the most significant contribution to the food industry in the past year. It is an especially prestigious award because the winner is chosen by you, The Grocer reader. Which of the candidates do you feel has set the agenda for the industry in the past year? Here are the criteria we want you to use to select the winner from this year’s 10 exceptional individuals.

Meeting tough targets and taking their organisation to a higher level of efficiency, service and profitability Having the personality, tenacity and charisma to inspire others to achieve higher levels of success Influencing beyond the boundaries of their own company and innovating in a manner that changes the way we all do business Don’t delay – your vote must be registered by Friday 19 September Vote by calling 01293 846535, or online at www.grocercup.co.uk

Marc Bolland - Morrisons

With profits up 66% to £612m, sales up 4% to £13bn and the best market share improvement of the big four, Morrisons CEO Marc Bolland is one Flying Dutchman right now. As well as demonstrating his mastery of marketing, Bolland launched or relaunched 8,000 new products, introduced store segmentation, and undertook a radical refurbishment programme.

Sir Terry Leahy - Tesco

With Tesco already accounting for 33% of the UK’s food and household goods market, wily Liverpudlian Sir Terrry Leahy has this year overseen expansion into massive new markets (notably the US and India) and potentially lucrative new sectors, including gardening, estate agency, musical downloads and, perhaps most significantly, a full-scale banking offensive. 

Andy Bond - Adsa

Asda’s chief has had a busy year. As well as adding more large-format stores to the estate than its rivals, Asda improved the organic and fresh produce ranges to appeal to a more upmarket audience, while reducing the management cost base. With Asda’s compelling price positioning Bond appears to be relishing the credit crunch and the battle with the discounters. 

Peter Marks - The Co-operative group

Even before the £1.57bn deal to buy Somerfield was completed this July, you could have made a strong case for Marks winning The Grocer Cup. He completed last year’s merger with United Co-op at astonishing speed while continuing to grow the business. Now set to create the UK’s fifth-largest grocery retailer, Marks is taking The Co-op to dizzy heights not seen since the 1980s.

Charles Wilson - Booker

Booker supremo Wilson’s development of both the delivered and online sides of the business has really impressed since the acquisition of Blueheath last May, a move many in the sector warned at the time was ill-advised. With other savvy moves, Wilson has watched pre-tax profits rise 27% to £36.2m in the year to 28 March on sales up 2.3% to £3.1bn.

Todd Stitzer - Cadbury Schweppes

When Mars bought Wrigley, Cadbury lost its status as the largest confectionery company in the world. But why should the likeable Cadbury chief executive care? He is sitting on a far more streamlined company following the demerger of its US beverages business than before, with costs down, profits up, Cadbury back on form and newly launched Trident denting Wrigley.

Bart Brecht - Reckitt Benckiser

Standing still is not an option for one of the industry’s great innovators. Last year £2bn of Reckitt Benckiser’s £5bn turnover came from products that had been launched in the past three years. Earnings have almost quadrupled in the past decade thanks to Brecht’s skilful handling of powerhouse brands such as Cillit Bang, Harpic, Nurofen and Lemsip. 

Justin King - Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s may not yet be great again but it’s certainly on the right track. And CEO King must take a large chunk of the credit for the recovery, which has seen Sainsbury’s deliver 13 consecutive quarters of like-for-like sales growth and £2.5bn added to the top line since April 2005. Plan for the next step on the road to greatness? A further £3.5bn sales growth by 2010.

Paul Foley - Aldi

Foley believes he has the big boys running scared – and with good reason. The Aldi boss recently delivered annual like-for-like sales growth of 21% and announced bold plans to open a new store every week for the next five years. With food-price inflation rarely out of the headlines, Foley has pitched Aldi’s offer perfectly through excellent advertising and strong promotions.

Neil Turton - Nisa-today’s

Having steadied the ship at Nisa-Today’s, the eyes of CEO Turton are fixed firmly on the future and repeating this year’s excellent sales growth. Plans include major expansion into the Republic of Ireland and enhanced benefits for Nisa’s independent retailers, as well as inflation-busting initiatives to offer customers lower prices on fresh products.