42. Kulveer Ranger

Director for Transport Policy, Mayor of London’s office

Why is he on the list?

London mayor Boris Johnson has described Ranger as his “transport brain”.

What kind of year has he had?

Ranger left his job as a transport consultant to join Team Boris in May 2008. Few can recall former mayor Ken Livingstone’s transport advisor. However, Ranger, the new mayor’s impeccably dressed and extremely amiable director of transport policy, has developed a much higher public profile in 18 months than Livingstone’s did in eight years.

What’s coming up in 2010?

Could he be tempted to leave City Hall and stand as an MP in a general election? He has already earned his stripes from Tory HQ for contesting an unwinnable seat in 2005.

Annual earnings: £102,750