London

100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

Sebastian Coe

Down from 12
30 Sebastian Coe
Running London
Why? Having won the 2012 Games for London as head of the bid team, for which he was knighted in the New Year Honours List 2006 , Coe is now chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games.
The bare facts Won four Olympic medals (two gold) and set 11 world records during the early ’80s. Also a Tory MP, so ideal for the schmoozing needed to nab the Games. Feature continues

Up from 77
29 Antonio Pappano
Bow Street runner
Why? Conductor Pappano’s passionate commitment to the Royal Opera has seen a near-miraculous upturn in the morale there.
The bare facts Pappano was born in London to Italian parents and claims that returning after an American upbringing is like coming home…

The Queen

Down from 8
28 The Queen
Betty’s still boss
Why? Since turning eighty this year she has been gradually handing her duties over to Prince Charles, but she’s determined not to abdicate.
The bare facts She’s the Queen.
Did you know If she lives until December 2007, she will become our oldest ever monarch.



Up from 42
27 Cameron Mackintosh
Showman
Why? Doing more to renovate the creaking West End theatres than any other theatre owner.
The bare facts This year he’s hosted ‘Avenue Q’ and ‘Frost/Nixon’, and ongoing hits include ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘Les Misérables’.
In his own words ‘Most people in England… would be surprised to learn that show business is one of our largest exports.’

Down from 22
26 Trevor Phillips
The equaliser
Why? In September it was announced that Sir Phillips OBE, head of the Commission for Racial Equality, will head the new Commission for Equalities and Human Rights, which will be launching in autumn 2007.
The bare facts The first black president of the NUS, and became head of the CRE in 2003.

Gervais and Merchant

Up from 76
25 Gervais and Merchant
World dominators
Why? ‘The Office’ cracked America in a way nobody has managed to achieve since Monty Python nearly forty years ago.
The bare facts ‘The Office’ is the most successful British comedy export of all time – with more than 4 million DVDs sold in 80 countries.

Andy Batchelor

Up from 34
24 Andy Batchelor
Thames Barrier boss
Andy Batchelor, 45, has been involved in Thames flood protection for 27 years. As tidal flood risk manager, he is responsible for deciding when the Thames Barrier is closed, saving London from flooding. ‘I’ve worked here since the barrier went up in 1984. Prior to that, I worked on the bank-raising project...read more

New entry
23 Jon Hunt
A complete estate agent
Why? Hunt is the founder and CEO of Foxtons, the estate agency everybody has heard of: for its legendary hard-and-fast selling, its staff’s nippy little Minis and its state-of-the-art café-style offices. Hunt’s 1,200 agents determine what we all pay for our homes.
The bare facts Hunt opened the first Foxtons office as a two-man operation in Notting Hill. Now he has 25 offices and is in the process of trying to break America.

New entry
22 Maria Hill
Cell mate
Why? As senior officer at Belmarsh Prison, she introduced family days for a select group of inmates, which meant the usual two-hour visits were extended to over five hours. She won the 2006 Prison Officer of the Year decency award, and is shortlisted for the 2006 Guardian Public Service Award.
The bare facts Hill joined Belmarsh prison in 1990 as a canteen auxiliary. She became an officer in 1994 and a senior officer in 2002.

Down from 19
21 Audrey Lewis
Drinking tsar
Why? Lewis works for Westminster council and is responsibile for community protection and licensing. Westminster’s cautious approach to the new licensing laws has been applauded by residents in the West End, but criticised by bar and club owners.
The bare facts Lewis was chair of the Marylebone Association between 1995 and 2001. She was elected to Westminster council in May 2002.

100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1