Rod McKie, managing director, Coffee Republic
"I am a qualified town planner by trade, though I've never practised. I came into the business through part-time jobs at college. I started at Pizza Hut, then I spent six years at TGI Fridays, first as a kitchen manager and then operations manager."

Terry Leahy, chief executive, Tesco
After graduating in business science from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, Leahy took a job as a management trainee with the Co-operative Wholesale Society in Manchester. He was then hired by Tesco, only because the preferred candidate was considered too good to start as a trainee in the marketing department and was instead offered a bigger job in buying.

Sir Geoffrey Mulcahey, chief executive, Kingfisher
After graduating from Manchester University with a degree in chemistry, Mulcahey was faced with the choice of a career in business or one in research. He chose business, joining Esso at the age of 22, and soon afterwards was sent to Harvard to study for an MBA.

Stephen Marks, founder and chief executive, French Connection
Marks started out sweeping the floor in a men's outfitters, aged 16. He had been a teenage tennis champion and almost became a professional tennis player instead of a retailer.

Catie Thompson, women's business leader, Nike, UK and Ireland
"I started my career in Sydney. I did a BA with honours in French, with a double major in French and politics. From there, at that stage, you could get on-the-job training. So I joined P&G, who were renowned for their training and development. I undertook a series of roles there. I was lucky joining them at a stage when they were rapidly developing, as I had the opportunity to take on different roles and exposure."

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