Contributors

As a borderline hypochondriac, Butcher jumped at the chance to interview a series of ex-doctors for MT's feature on millionaire medics. He didn't dare quiz them on his mystery rash, but he did learn a lot about how the medical mindset can work wonders in a business environment.

JOHN RITBLAT

British Land's chairman is a man seemingly unburdened by sentimentality, so who better to review Hardball by George Stalk and Rob Lachenauer. But Ritblat finds that naked aggression is not always what it's all about. A keen skier, he is also president of the British Ski & Snowboard Federation.

NILS PRATLEY

The Guardian's associate City editor makes sense of the results of our Britain's Most Admired Companies poll, finding last year's winner Tesco let down by poor CSR results. 'Who says the touchy-feely stuff doesn't matter?' he asks. In August, he became a father with the arrival of Astrid.

MARK VERNON

the editor of the MT.IT supplement, Vernon began his professional life as a vicar. 'It may not seem an obvious step from there into journalism, but writing a sermon is remarkably similar to writing a feature.' He now writes about business and technology, and has just finished a PhD on friendship.

MARIE-HELENE JEEVES

'I feel peculiarly unsuited to illustrating Lifeforms, never having worked in an office,' says Jeeves, 'but the writing is so pungent that the characters spring to life.' Her favourite? Margaret Fowles, PA: 'It was a real pleasure to get her twinset, pearls and icy glare down on paper.'