Swedish-Russian businessman
Swedish-Russian businessman
Swedish-Russian businessman and member of the Nobel family who managed family enterprises.
Emanuel Nobel was born into the renowned Nobel family in Saint Petersburg.
He succeeded his father in overseeing the family's oil and industrial operations in Baku.
Under his leadership, the Nobel enterprises expanded their reach across Europe and the Russian Empire.
He served on corporate boards and directed philanthropic efforts connected to the Nobel legacy.
His business acumen sustained the family fortune and contributed to early oil industry developments.
Emanuel remained an influential figure in industrial circles until his death in 1932.
1859
Emanuel Nobel
Australian soldier and businessman
Australian soldier and businessman
Australian soldier and businessman who founded a mining empire and discovered vast iron ore deposits.
Lang Hancock was born in 1909 in Perth, Western Australia. After serving in the military, he turned his attention to the resources sector and made a groundbreaking discovery of iron ore in the Pilbara region. He founded Hancock Prospecting, which grew into one of Australia's most successful mining companies. Hancock's vision transformed the Australian economy by unlocking its mineral wealth for global markets. His legacy endures through a mining dynasty that shaped the nation's modern resource industry.
1909
Lang Hancock
American entrepreneur, founded Dunkin' Donuts
American entrepreneur
founded Dunkin' Donuts
American entrepreneur best known as the founder of Dunkin' Donuts and a pioneer of the franchising model.
William Rosenberg was born in Boston in 1916 and began his career in industrial catering. In 1950, he opened the first store in Quincy, Massachusetts, under the name Open Kettle, later rebranding it as Dunkin' Donuts. Rosenberg innovated the quick-service restaurant concept, emphasizing quality coffee and fresh doughnuts at affordable prices. He championed franchising, expanding his brand across the United States and abroad. Under his leadership, Dunkin' Donuts became one of the world's largest coffee and doughnut chains. Rosenberg's business acumen and focus on operational efficiency set new standards in the fast-food industry until his death in 2002.
William Rosenberg
Dunkin' Donuts
Czech-English captain, publisher, and politician
Czech-English captain
publisher
and politician
Czech-born British publisher and politician, known for building a global media empire and his controversial business dealings.
Born Jan Hoch in 1923, Robert Maxwell served as a captain in the Royal Air Force during World War II.
He later established a publishing empire that included newspapers, magazines, and book imprints around the world.
Maxwell entered politics as a Labour Member of Parliament in the 1960s before focusing on his media ventures.
Under his leadership, Maxwell Communications Group acquired numerous high-profile titles, expanding his influence.
After his death in 1991, investigations revealed massive fraud involving company pension funds.
His life story, marked by dramatic rises and falls, remains one of the most sensational in 20th-century media history.
Maxwell’s legacy continues to fascinate historians and journalists alike.
Robert Maxwell
Indian businessman and politician
Indian businessman and politician
Indian industrialist and politician who led the Bajaj Group to global prominence and served as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Rahul Bajaj (1938–2022) was a renowned Indian businessman who transformed the Bajaj Group into a leading conglomerate in automobiles, home appliances, and financial services.
Under his leadership, Bajaj Auto became the world’s largest three-wheeler manufacturer and a major two-wheeler exporter.
He served as Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry and received the Padma Bhushan in 2001.
From 2006 to 2010, Bajaj represented Maharashtra in the Rajya Sabha, blending his corporate experience with public service.
He was also known for his philanthropic work in education and healthcare, founding institutions to support underprivileged communities.
1938
Rahul Bajaj
Canadian businessman, lawyer, and jurist
Canadian businessman
lawyer
and jurist
Canadian businessman, lawyer, and jurist known for his leadership in corporate governance and judicial practice.
Michel Bastarache is a Canadian businessman, lawyer, and jurist who has made significant contributions to both the corporate and legal sectors. He has served on the boards of major companies and advised on complex transactions, earning a reputation for integrity and expertise. As a practicing lawyer, Bastarache specialized in corporate law, guiding clients through mergers, acquisitions, and regulatory challenges. His judicial work further underscored his deep understanding of the law and commitment to justice. Bastarache’s career bridges the worlds of business and jurisprudence, highlighting his versatility and impact in both fields.
1947
Michel Bastarache
Canadian businesswoman
Canadian businesswoman
Canadian business executive who led Canada Post and later served as CEO of the United Kingdom’s Royal Mail.
Moya Greene was born on June 10, 1954, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. She began her career in the Canadian public service, holding senior roles at the Privy Council Office. Greene was appointed President and CEO of Canada Post in 2005, where she implemented major operational and financial reforms. In 2010, she became CEO of the UK’s Royal Mail, overseeing its modernization and successful privatization. Under her leadership, both postal services saw improved efficiency and profitability. Greene has served on the boards of several international organizations and corporate enterprises. She is recognized for her strategic vision in transforming state-run postal operations.
1954
Moya Greene
Indian-American businessman
Indian-American businessman
Indian-American technology executive and CEO of Google and Alphabet, driving innovation on a global scale.
Sundar Pichai, born Pichai Sundararajan on June 10, 1972, in Madras (now Chennai), India, is a leading tech executive.
He joined Google in 2004, where he led the development of Chrome, now the world's most used web browser.
Pichai advanced to oversee product management for Google Apps and Android before becoming CEO in 2015.
In 2019, he was appointed CEO of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, expanding its reach into AI and cloud services.
Under his leadership, Google has launched major innovations in AI, hardware, and online services.
Pichai is celebrated for his strategic vision and efforts to make technology accessible worldwide.
Sundar Pichai