Mark Hurd, CEO of world's largest technology company Hewlett-Packard, was on Thursday named the 'Businessperson of the Year' by a leading US magazine, beating 19 other corporate leaders including three Indians Lakshmi Mittal, Mukesh Ambani and Ratan Tata.
The 20 contenders for the title, short-listed by the BusinessWeek magazine, also included Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs, media baron Rupert Murdoch and Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
Hurd does not chase public limelight, does not attend high-profile business meets like World Economic Forum in Davos, does not flaunt a personal flair or high-flying style, All his energy seems to be "trained completely on one and only one task: leading Hewlett-Packard," the magazine said.
"The low-key executive, who has quietly cleaned up a mighty mess at the venerable Silicon Valley bellwether, beat out some big names on our list of top managers," it added.
The winner was selected on the basis of responses from the readers as well as its editors, it said.
Apple's Jobs, JPMorgan Chase's Dimon and News Corp chairman Murdoch were readers' top three choices, but were beaten by Hurd for the title for supercharging "sales, earnings and the company's stock."
About other short-listed names, it said Ambani was hailed as the world's richest man for a brief period in October, after a sharp rally in Reliance Industries shares.
"In 2005, Ambani had a very public split with younger brother Anil. In the division of the spoils, he had to let go of his cherished telecom business," the publication said.
It added that, Ambani had presented his wife a $59 million private jet as a birthday gift recently and is also building his dream house: a 27-floor mansion replete with two swimming pools, a 100-seat home theatre, a helipad, etc.
About steel tycoon Mittal, BusinessWeek said the India-born entrepreneur completed his $38 billion Arcelor takeover in 2007 to form the world's largest steel company.
He also took a big step into China through a deal that would give him control of China Oriental Group, a Hong Kong-listed Chinese steel company.
About another Indian among the contenders, the magazine said: "It was Ratan Tata's year to grab global headlines. . . From picking up steel companies, hotels, coal mines, and tea brands, he is all set to revolutionise the concept of a small car."
"He's emerged as the top bidder for Ford Motor's Jaguar and Land Rover brands. Now all eyes are on Tata as he gears up to display his cherished $2,500 car at the Indian Auto Show in New Delhi in January."
The publication said that good leaders were in short supply in a year marked by eroding consumer confidence, whipsawing stock markets, and an ever-spreading financial-sector meltdown.
"Some of the qualities that distinguished the best executives and businesspeople in 2007: a steady hand, a healthy appetite for risk, an inspiring vision, and an eye to execution," it said.
The 20 contenders also included Al Gore, former US Vice President, Nobel Peace prize winner and an Apple Director, Goldman Sachs' Lloyd Blankfein, WellPoint CEO Angela Braly, JP Morgan Chase's Jamie Dimon, Mexican billionaire and telecom baron Carlos Slim Helu.
Besides there was, Procter and Gamble's Alan Lafley, Deere & Co's Robert Lane, Chinese website Alibaba.com's Jack Ma, Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Boeing CEO James McNerney, Chrysler's Bob Nardelli and Merrill Lynch's John Thain.
