Executive chairman, Alliance Boots

Stefano Pessina 16x9

The Italian billionaire describes himself as an entrepreneur rather than a retailer, but his retail prowess is clear after the health and beauty giant reported profits topped £1bn in May. His mantra is “double-digit growth” and he has achieved that each year in all his businesses.

Pessina bought Alliance Boots with the backing of private equity firm KKR in a £11.7bn deal in 2007. He runs a tightly controlled ship with key lieutenants in place to run the retail and wholesale arms of the business. This allows Pessina to focus on international deals and building the brand globally. Last year Pessina told Retail Week he wanted the Boots brand to be sold in all major countries within five years.

In the past 12 months, Pessina has increased the group’s international scale, and the health and beauty retail business now operates across Norway, Ireland, the Netherlands, Thailand, Italy and Russia. He has also struck a deal with Procter & Gamble, the world’s biggest consumer goods company, to help expand its skincare business. It will initially distribute its Laboratories Serum 7 skincare range in Italy, but if the partnership works well, it could be rolled out.

Pessina is known for his straightforward approach and a long international contacts list.