John Browne, chief executive of BP, has been voted Britain's most impressive businessman in a survey of more than 130 top executives carried out for the Financial Times.

Lord Browne of Madingley, 57, took pole position for the sixth time, beating Sir Terry Leahy, Tesco chief executive, into second place. The poll of 132 executives, interviewed by Ipsos Mori between September and November, placed the bosses of the country's big retailers among the most respected performers.