Sir Martin Sorrell | MediaGuardian 100 2012
Job: group chief executive, WPP
Age: 67
Industry: advertising, marketing
2011 ranking: 8
WPP chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell admitted that he had "misjudged the mood of shareholders" after nearly 60% voted to reject his £6.8m annual pay packet – topped up with a £5.6m share windfall. It was the largest rebellion at a blue chip company since 90% voted against Sir Fred Goodwin's pension arrangements at Royal Bank of Scotland in 2009.
Sorrell still reckons he's worth it, and over the past year WPP cemented its place as the world's biggest marketing services group with its best ever annual results, achieving £1bn profits and £10bn revenues for the first time. WPP is also switching its corporate HQ back to London from Dublin, after changes to UK tax law.
The chancellor, George Osborne can look forward to welcoming WPP back following a shareholder vote in December that will ratify the move.
Sorrell shifted WPP's tax domicile to Ireland in 2008 in protest at the prospect of "double taxation" of overseas profits – once abroad and again in the UK – but new legislation has prompted a return.
Never one to rest on his laurels, in June he stunned the advertising industry by buying a majority stake in AKQA, one of the world's most well-known digital agencies and one of the last independent global players, in a deal with an enterprise value of £348m.
Despite a hectic schedule plotting global advertising domination, Sorrell found time to slot in a quick session carrying the Olympic torch through the London borough of Redbridge.
The 67-year-old showed a clean pair of heels in a fetching white tracksuit, and with no signs of him slowing down don't mention the words "succession management" just yet.