The 18 best-performing CEOs in Europe, according to the Harvard Business Review
18 (25). Simon Wolfson, Next — Wolfson joined British clothes retailer Next straight out of university and just 12 years later, at the age of 33, he was named as the company's chief executive. At the time, he was the FTSE100's youngest CEO. He has now been at the company's helm for 15 years.
17 (24). Lars Rasmussen, Coloplast — Not to be confused with the Danish prime minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, this Rasmussen is also Danish, but heads up a healthcare equipment manufacturer. He has been CEO and president since 2008.
16 (23). Mark Bristow, Randgold Resources — Bristow heads up the FTSE 100-listed gold miner Randgold, which is headquartered in Jersey, but operates mainly in the West African nation of Mali. Bristow is originally from South Africa, and has been the company's chief since 1995.
15 (22). Jean-Francois Van Boxmeer, Heineken — Van Boxmeer (on the left) is the CEO of what is now the world's second-largest brewer, following the merger of AB InBev and SAB Miller. He oversees the company's drinks operations in over 70 countries.
14 (19). Johan Thijs, KBC — Thijs is one of the shorter serving executives on this list, taking charge in 2012. His leadership has helped the medium-sized Belgian bank flourish, and last year it made a profit of €2.6 billion, up almost €900 million from the previous year.
13 (18). Martin Gilbert, Aberdeen Asset Management — Aberdeen's big boss is the ninth-longest serving CEO of any on the Harvard Business Review's list, having served since 1983 when he helped to co-found the asset manager. He is pictured with American golfer Rickie Fowler at a tournament sponsored by Aberdeen.
12 (17). Richard Cousins, Compass — FTSE 100-listed food service company made total revenues of almost £18 billion in 2015, serving roughly four billion meals globally in an average year. Cousins has been CEO of the group since 2006.
11 (15). Martin Bouygues, Bouygues — Bouygues has led the eponymous French conglomerate since 1989, when he took over the chief executive position from his father, the company's founder. Bouygues specialises in construction, real estate development, and telecoms.
10 (13). Florentino Perez Rodriguez, ACS — Spaniard Perez is probably most famous as the President of Real Madrid Football Club, where he paid record transfer fees for players many times. However, he makes the Harvard Business Review's list for his role as chairman and CEO of huge Spanish civil engineering firm ACS.
9 (12). Carlos Brito, ABInBev — Brazilian-born Brito is not technically European, but he heads up the Belgium-based brewer, so features on this list. Last year, AB announced the acquisition of its biggest rival, SAB Miller, creating a new global superbrewer.
8 (10). Jacques Aschenbroich, Valeo — One of a small number of CEOs to take their position from outside the company. He joined Valeo, a French auto parts maker from Saint Gobain in 2009.
7 (9). Benoit Potier, Air Liquid — Frenchman Potier leads the business of Air Liquide, a French firm specialising in industrial gases. He joined the company as an R&D engineer in 1984, and was made CEO in 1997.
6 (8). Elmar Deghart, Continental — Degenhart took the helm at German tyre maker Continental in 2009, joining from auto parts maker Schaeffler. He previously worked for Continental between 1998-2003.
5 (7). Bernard Arnault, LVMH — Arnault is in charge of one of the world's best-known luxury companies, which includes fashion label Louis Vuitton, champagne house Moet and Chandon, and cognac maker Hennessy, the choice drink of many rappers.
4 (4). Herbert Hainer, Adidas — Since the Harvard Business Review's ranking was compiled, Hainer has left the company. However, prior to his departure, Hainer was sportswear giant Adidas' boss for 15 years.
3 (3). Pablo Isla, Inditex — Isla has been CEO of the Spanish clothing company, which owns retailers including Zara, Massimo Dutti, and Pull and Bear, since 2005. His successes as CEO helped Inditex's founder Amancio Ortega become one of the world's richest men.
2 (2). Martin Sorrell, WPP — The highest ranking Brit on this list, Sorrell founded advertising and PR giant WPP in 1986, and has been in charge ever since. Sorrell has faced criticism for his enormous compensation package of more than £70 million last year, but has consistently defended himself, saying that his pay is performance-based.
1 (1). Lars Rebien Sorensen, Novo Nordisk — Sorensen is officially the world's best CEO according to the Harvard Business Review, keeping the top spot he gained last year. Sorensen heads up Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, which focuses on producing diabetes drugs, something that the HBR says has helped Sorensen and Novo Nordisk achieve such great success.
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