Ben Gordon

Mothercare has become a real tour de force as an international brand under the steady leadership of Gordon. Since he took over in 2002, the once shambolic business has now been transformed.

This year total group sales topped the £1bn mark and Mothercare signed a new wholesale deal to provide clothing for Boots across 400 of its stores.

At the end of Mothercare’s financial year to March 27, it had an uncharacteristically slow quarter as many of its stores were badly hit by the poor weather.

However, with such a strong international presence, the softly spoken and unassuming Gordon will not be too concerned as its internet and overseas businesses continue to outperform.

Even if the country does fall into the dreaded double-dip recession, the last thing people will stop spending on is their babies, so Mothercare seems a likely winner for some time to come.