Robert Easton, managing director, Carlyle Group

Before joining Carlyle in 2000, Dr Easton, a chemist with a doctorate from Oxford university, was vice-president of corporate development for Invensys. At Carlyle, which manages almost £30bn, Dr Easton is one of several European managing directors leading the buy-out team in London. He sits on the board of AZ Electronic Materials, Firth Rixson, Stahl and Ensus.