Ad Scheepbouwer is used to stormy times - his surname means "shipbuilder" in Dutch, while his first job was as a sea-going barman. He faced a tumultuous start at the Dutch telecoms group as it was so deep in debt that some thought it close to bankruptcy. But after a textbook turnround, Mr Scheepbouwer has knocked KPN back into shape.

The 64-year-old spent three decades in logistics companies before switching to telecoms. He was managing director or chief executive of the Dutch postal service and its successor TPG, from 1988 to 2001, before stepping in at KPN after its failed merger with Belgacom of Belgium.