The Publican Power List 2009
For more details, please have a look at the Power List 2009 brochure at the bottom of this page.
1. Gordon Brown
Our esteemed leader has done nothing to ingratiate himself with the pub trade or the wider economy - but his influence is undeniable!
2. Alastair Darling
Gordon's henchman has hiked beer tax, and then added a bit for good measure. He's not welcome in many pubs these days.
3. Tim Martin
The original pub entrepreneur, and arguably still the best. His pub chain JD Wetherspoon is going strong.
4. Michael Turner
Boss of Fuller Smith & Turner and chairman of the BBPA, might he now go down in history as the man who saved the trade association?
5. Rooney Anand
He's taken Greene King, a sleepy regional, and built it into a pub trade superpower.
6. Tim Clarke
Mitchells & Butlers' big cheese has had his ups and downs financially but continues to lead the pack.
7. Giles Thorley
City whizzkid turned pubco boss, Thorley is the Marmite of the pub trade.
8. Sir Terry Leahy
The "godfather of binge-drinking". Apparently.
9. Jonathan Neame
Heir to the Kent brewing dynasty, Neame has proved adept at political manoeuvring and is an outspoken opponent of the beer tax hikes.
10. Ted Tuppen
Thorley's rival and fellow pubco boss. Not an easy year for him, or his tenants.
11. Nick Bish
Outlasted his BBPA counterpart, but can the ALMR's Bish win the political long game?
12. prof. Ian Gilmore
Chief advisor to the government on all matters health. He's ticked off smoking now what has he got planned for alcohol?
13. John Grogan MP
Darling of the pub trade, his chairmanship of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group has seen him raise some key issues for the trade.
14. Tony Blair
Gone but not forgotten, his legacies live on. Over-regulation, red tape and increasing costs to name just three….
15. Raymond Blanc
A surprise entry perhaps, but top chef Mr Blanc has certainly played his part in raising standards in food quality and consumer expectations.
16. Ralph Findlay
More reserved than his Greene King counterpart, the Marston's boss is nevertheless hugely influential, not least through his role within the BBPA.
17. Phil Dixon
Licensees' champion, BII consultant and renowned after-dinner speaker, Dixon injects humour while maintaining his left-wing campaigner's roots.
18. Iain Holden
This Sky boss has a huge pub following, despite continued controversy over his prices.
19. Peter Hansen
Deal-maker and sector commentator extraordinaire.
20. Paul Wells
Charles Wells boss who oversaw the creation of the Wells & Young's operation and is an outspoken supporter of all things pub.
21. Mike Tye
The saviour of Spirit?
22. Mark Brumby
This analyst's early morning email alerts are now the stuff of legend.
23. John McNamara
Now departed BII boss who led the organisation through the licensing revolution.
24. Mike Benner
CAMRA's chief executive - and not a beard or pair of sandals in sight….
25. Greg Mulholland MP
Holding on tight to Grogan's coattails and a possible successor, Mulholland is shouting loudly on pub issues in Westminster.
26. Tony Payne
Licensees' white knight and a true gent, Payne was made a CBE by Her Majesty in 2005.
27. John Hutson
Tim Martin's second in command has steered the company through the recession with evident skill while doing his eccentric master's bidding.
28. Gary Landesberg
Property magnate who brought the opco/propco model to life through Admiral Taverns.
29. Rufus Hall
Orchid boss with undoubted entrepreneurial flair, in tough trading times.
30. Julian Grocock
SIBA leader supporting the rise of the microbrewer.
31. Lynne D'Arcy
Landsberg's deputy at Admiral, and one of the few powerful women in the pub sector.
32. Dan Jago
Head alcohol buyer for Tesco - not winning friends in our sector at the moment.
33. Paul Nunny
Champion of cask ale quality through Cask Marque.
34. Vince Power
Music venue mogul and the wallet behind the Fair Pint Campaign, battling the pubcos over the tie.
35. Stephen Gould
The new blood that regional brewer Everards was looking for, this former Punch star has a strong commercial mind.
36. Mark Hunter
Brewing giant Coors boss, Hunter has recently backed minimum pricing for alcohol.
37. John Dunsmore
The man who got a great price for S&N, turned poacher and joined cider rival Magners.
38. Keith Knowles
One of the industry's real characters, Knowles now oversees innovative back-packers hostel chain St Christophers.
39. Robert Tchenguiz
Not afraid of a fight, this property magnate started on M&B…although it was not to be.
40. Tim Bacon
Entrepreneur who launched the Living Room concept and is credited with raising standards across the sector.
41. Vernon Coaker
Home Office minister who has overseen some of the government's more Draconian anti-alcohol policies, including the controversial ADZs.
42. Dawn Primarolo MP
Public health minister leading the crackdown on irresponsible alcohol promotions.
43. Simon Townsend
Ted's wing man and chief spokesman for Enterprise Inns. He's had a lot to say over recent months.
44. Yvette Cooper MP
Treasury minister who could help Darling make or break the trade.
45. Jeremy Blood
S&N/Heineken's top man has overseen the integration with the continental brewer.
46. Alan Parker
Whitbread chief who focused the business to great effect by concentrating on the best bits.
47. Ian Payne
Not a man to mince his words, Payne has not had an easy year at the helm of Tchenguiz's Bay Restaurant and Town & City groups.
48. Mark McQuater
Former Wetherspoons chief now at the helm of managed chain Barracuda.
49. Stuart Macfarlane
Tasked with reviving the Artois portfolio, the new Inbev boss is outspoken and determined.
50. Rupert Ponsonby
Silver-haired fox and former PR guru who is leading the beer revolution.
