4. Alan Chatham, Birmingham Development Company

A chartered surveyor with over 20 years worth of property development experience, Alan Chatham's name is synonymous with the architectural renaissance of Birmingham city centre.

First with property company Rosehaugh, then Argent and now the Birmingham Development Company - co-founded with business partner Mark Billingham - Alan is behind some of the city's most prestigious mixed-use developments including Brindleyplace, The Mailbox and The Cube.

During the development of Brindleyplace, Alan cemented his working relationship with Mr Billingham and when the former Royal Mail sorting office was put up for sale, the pair paid £4 million to take up a redevelopment challenge many in the region's property community were too afraid to touch.

The result was the award-winning, £200 million retail and lifestyle development, The Mailbox, incorporating 1.5 million sq ft of redevelopment. Through skilful negotiation, he was also able to secure tenants such as Harvey Nichols and Emporio Armani - brands previously unwilling to move into the city.

Last year Alan was elected chairman of the city centre's new Business Improvement District - Retail Birmingham. Aimed at improving shopping facilities in the city, Alan oversees the work of the partnership - which includes the Bullring, The Mailbox, Pallasades, Pavilions, New Street, High Street, Corporation Street, Great Western Arcade and Piccadilly Arcade.

Last year BDC put together its own construction firm, Build Ability, to deliver The Cube.