21. Sir Richard Branson

Founder and Chairman, Virgin Group

Sir Richard Branson

Sir Richard Branson

Why is he on the list?

Branson’s Virgin Group owns 51% of the intercity operator Virgin West Coast.

What kind of year has he had?

Branson kept a low profile in the rail industry in 2009, but in July he urged the government to retender the East Coast franchise as soon as possible. “We have been the under bidder on three different occasions, spent £15m in the process and lost to people who have put in unrealistic bids,” he said. “This cannot be...