Britain's Most Admired No.5: Tesco, Sir Terry Leahy

However, Tesco still picks up a gong - boss Sir Terry remains Britain's Most Admired leader. The nation's favourite supermarket continues to buck the dire economic climate with first-half profits up 10% to £1.5bn. The brakes are on across the Pond, however, with a slowdown in the planned roll-out of its ambitious Fresh & Easy US venture, which has already cost the group a £60m write-down.