28 Trevor Hemmings millionaire leisure tycoon (28) Brian King managing director, Trust Inns (28)

Why they're on the list:

Hemmings remains one of the most interesting, yet reclusive, figures in the pub and leisure industry. Until recently a major shareholder in Scottish & Newcastle, he retains extensive interests in hotels, fun parks, racecourses and the iconic Lancashire landmark Blackpool Tower. He also owns Trust Inns, operator of 600 leased pubs nationwide, run by his managing director Brian King,

a former tenancy director of Greenalls.

What the past year has held:

Trust Inns has gained a reputation for being genuinely supportive of its tenants. Its wet-led estate led the firm to make a major investment in smoking solutions prior to the ban. Hemmings stepped away from running Herald Inns & Bars during the year, leaving managing director Julian Sargeson to take a stake in a business owned by its bank.

Challenges ahead:

Few can be sure where Hemmings' next leisure sector project will be. But successful integration of circa 100 Mitchells & Butlers pubs last year is likely to create an appetite for more tenanted pubs.