Three Brits make it into the Top 20 of TLG’s Index of Global Thought Leaders, a power list chosen by academics from some of the world’s top universities, and it is a small mark of success for each of them. Only one institution has two entries in the Top 10 and Sir Jonathan Ive is also the only entry in the Top 20 who is not the head of his organisation. The new economy dominates the list so it is no surprise that Apple has such a high profile but it is a recognition of Ive’s role and the importance of design allied to technology that is significant about his entry.
David Cameron at seven is the third politician behind Barack Obama and Sonia Gandhi, but he is the only European politician on the list, which is perhaps more of a comment of the malaise of Eurozone economies.
The great survivor on the list is Sir Richard Branson at four. He is the only non-tech businessman from the West in the Top 20 and also shows how he is recognised as a power broker in the States. He has also been up at the top for over a quarter of a century – some achievement.
