Job: writer, producer
Age: 43
Industry: broadcasting
2005 ranking: new entry
Victoria Pile was the brains behind one of the most talked-about TV comedies of the last few years - Green Wing.
The credits leave you in no doubt that this was Pile's baby. She created it, produced it, and devised it. Oh, and she co-wrote it too.
The everyday story of sex-obsessed doctors in a surreal, sometimes nightmarish hospital setting, Green Wing defied convention. A sitcom that ran for an hour, a comedy that felt like a soap opera, it broke all the normal rules of television.
It wasn't the first time Pile has pulled off such a trick. Eight years ago she went talent spotting for a new all-female sketch show, also on Channel 4. Smack the Pony would go on to win numerous awards, including two International Emmys.
Along the way Pile has built up a formidable reputation for recognising talent. Among the numerous writers who worked on Smack the Pony were Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, who would go on to create Channel 4's Peep Show.
"Everything she does is different and original," said one panellist. "Green Wing was the most talked-about show of the year. She is a huge talent."
Pile began her career writing for BBC2's Not the Nine O'Clock News while she was still at Sussex University. She went on to write for Spitting Image, Lenny Henry and Jasper Carrott before ending up at Children's BBC. It was here she met Caroline Leddy, then an actor, who would go on to become head of comedy at Channel 4.
Along with picking up numerous plaudits along the way, Green Wing also made stars out of the likes of Stephen Mangan, Michelle Gomez and Julian Rhind-Tutt.
"The whole show was borne out of Victoria's desire not to do anything conventional," said co-director Tristram Shapeero. All eyes are now on what Pile does next.
· Do you agree with our top 100? If not, click here to send us your alternative top 10 from your sector, whether advertising, marketing & PR, TV, radio, press & publishing, new media or the City.