Gerry Robinson

Officially 'Gerrard Jude'-chairman of the Granada Group & head of the Arts Council Robinson made his first millions with a management buy-out at Grand Met, and then did it again by taking over Trusthouse Forte with Granada. His post on the Arts Council is unpaid, but that shouldn't matter as last year he was Britain's highest-earning chairman. As well as his Granada and Arts Council portfolio, Robinson is not only at the helm of the vast media, catering and hotels group, but he also controls and allocates government arts funding.