Britain's Most Admired No 5: Whitbread, Alan Parker

But Parker is going out on a high, with first-half results this year showing a 14.5% rise in revenues (to £703m) and profits up nearly a third from £106m to £151m. It has also jumped a hefty 34 places since last year. Under his auspices, Whitbread has disposed of David Lloyd gyms and Marriott Hotels in the UK to concentrate on its Premier Inns and Costa Coffee brands abroad. The firm's share price has risen 108% on his watch.