Name 5 non-famous CEOs

Much is written about the curse of celebrity and how we all want our 15 minutes. Chief executives and chairman are no exception to the rule. Some corporate leaders are as famous as their brands: think Arcadia's Philip Green, Apple's Steve Jobs, Virgin's Richard Branson or BA's Willie Walsh. Not all are famous for the right reasons - but all publicity is good publicity eh? What's more, a modicum of fame can ensure a rich post-retirement career as a management guru or writer - just consider GE's former head honcho Jack Welch.

But although the media and the public love 'em - Branson seems to come top of every league table, whether its bosses, entrepreneurs, businessmen or men with beards - leadership writers are keen to remind us that leadership ought to be authentic and our leaders need to keep it real. The heroic leader is as dated as an Arctic Roll. The thinking seems to be that it's difficult to keep your eye on the bottom line if you're busy worrying whether your bum will look big on Newsnight.

So in the spirit of the great British parlour game of name five famous Belgians, try to name five CEOs who have done a sterling job but aren't universally famous. To get you in the mood, here's a German CEO game in the style of the more famous beer logo game.  If we can get enough we could build our own game. . . although maybe that will make them famous and then we'll be back to square one.

(Picture of Belgian luc Vandevelde, former CEO of Marks & Spencer, borrowed from www.famousbelgians.net )

Comments

[er what]

er, *Sir* Philip Green FAILED to buy M&S (but he does own BHS, Arcadia, etc.)... think you might have meant Sir Stuart Rose....

not exactly "beating management" at any game on this one...

[Carol Lewis]

Thank you 'er what' I did make a mistake. But where are your suggestions?