Industry analyst Plimsoll Publishing conducted the investigation of 2,808 directors within the companies, with the full results published in Entrepreneurs Edition 2002, which aims to show how the success of a company is related to those who run it.

There were 231 directors who showed excellence and have been named Entrepreneurs of the Year.

Other categories included Long Service Entrepreneur, going to 139 directors aged over 65, who have been in their position for at least five years.

The winners will be revealed on June 11. l