The Top 50 Movers and Shakers

We reveal the definitive list of the most important people in the growth company sector

1 Anthony Bolton (32)

For the past 24 years, the highly successful and publicity shy Anthony Bolton has managed the Fidelity Special Situations Fund, a vehicle with around £3.8 billion under management which boasts a formidable track record. An inveterate stock picker, Bolton's approach is to look for undervalued, out-of-favour stocks, adopting an approach that is perhaps more aggressive than the other funds in Fidelity's vast stable. The Cambridge graduate and part-time pianist is probably none too surprised that Fidelity, one of the world's biggest investment companies, is also AIM's largest institutional investor by value.

2 John Dodd (10)

Such is John Dodd's growing reputation that any AIM CEO that can persuade him to invest in their company knows that his or her venture will be very well received in the City. Whether Dodd, famed for his love of fast cars and 'country pursuits', knows or cares about this is a moot point. Like Bolton, he is not a media luvvy, preferring instead to focus on the growth of Artemis Investment Management (£4.3 billion under management and counting). Dodd's UK Small Companies Fund is the best performing fund in its class over a five-year period, while Artemis is now one of AIM's largest investors.

3 Tim Cockroft (-)

With a supportive executive team boasting the likes of Simon Hayes, Adam Hart and Edward Horton, you could argue that ex-Morgan Grenfell man Tim Cockroft, now CEO of KBC Peel Hunt, has one of the most enviable jobs in the City. This year his firm has floated 22 new companies (at the last count), retained its position as one of the most active broking firms on AIM and picked up the 'Advisor of the Year Award' at the GCI Awards. It is also London's second largest market maker. The secret of KBC's success? Well, amongst other things, its 'potent placing power'.

4 Keith Harris/Richard Feigen (6)

These two affable chaps are chief executive and head of investment banking, respectively, of (the now private) Seymour Pierce investment bank. Harris is obviously the more high profile by dint of his previous chairmanship of The Football League, his involvement with the rescue of Chelsea FC and, of course, his vainglorious attempt to buy Manchester United. Feigen's role at the firm encompasses taking responsibility for all the stockbroking and corporate finance activities, no mean task considering Seymour Pierce is AIM's busiest broker and adviser.

5 Peter Webb (4)

Famed for his sharp wit, free spirit and, when the occasion demands, straight talking, Peter Webb is chief executive of Unicorn Asset Management, a manager of an array of award-winning investment trusts. The Unicorn AIM VCT is the only fund launched in the last three years to have made a significant tax-free return to shareholders, while Unicorn UK Smaller Companies is one of the top ten performing funds of the last five years. Going forward, Webb is unlikely to rest on his laurels or hide his ambitions – 'I want to be the best fund manager in the UK' is his stated goal. He'll probably get there.

6 Giles Hargreave (7)

Straight-talking Lancashire native Hargreave is the main mover at Marlborough Fund Managers, guiding the glittering fortunes of the Marlborough Special Situations, Marlborough UK Micro-Cap Growth and Marlborough UK Leading Company funds. Outside of stock picking, Hargreave says he's 'pretty boring – I play a lot of bridge!'

7 Alex Snow/Richard Griffiths (27)

Evolution waved goodbye to founder Andrew Beeson and his moniker Beeson Gregory this year. Also departing was former head of market making Christopher Potts for his attempts to sell more shares in Room Service than were available, which earned the firm a £500,000 fine from the FSA. Despite this reputation-diminishing move, the broker has been active, possibly on the back of spinning out its AIM tech-transfer star IP2IPO. Snow is chief executive but Griffiths brings in the deals.

8 Oliver Hemsley (1)

Rebuffing a takeover approach from Icelandic bank Landsbanki, Hemsley's Numis raised £198 million for eight companies during the year, including £134 million for publisher Centaur Holdings' contentious float. While interim profits rose 120 per cent to £11.2 million, rumours abound that senior staff at Numis are dissatisfied with Hemsley's failure to drive the company's image forward. Interestingly, Hemsley is a member of anti-Euro (currency) organisation Business for Sterling.

9 Terry Smith (2)

Controversy continues to follow Collin Stewart's chief executive. Never far from a courthouse, the company may now sue rival inter-dealer broker ICAP for poaching its Asian staff. Business is booming though, with interim profits up 42 per cent to £39.4 million and huge fundraisings, including £158.5 million for fleeting AIM entrant PD Ports, continue.

10 Stuart Sharp (13)

Aptly named Stuart Sharp manages two top performing trusts for Rensburg Investment management: UK Smaller Companies and UK Micro Cap Growth, the latter of which has returned 148 per cent in its two years of existence thanks to big gains from oil and gas stocks. Originally a solicitor, Sharp also put some time in at the reviled Inland Revenue.

11 Andy Brough (11)

Andy Brough is a seasoned veteran in investing in small- to mid-sized companies and currently manages the UK Smaller Companies Fund, which continues to outperform the UK All Companies Index, as well as the successful Mid 250 fund for Schroders. Although he claims to dislike talking to the press, his name often appears in the broadsheets and he has been known to write for the Sunday Times.

12 Gerald Beaney/Phil Secrett (17)

Gerald Beaney, who previously spent five years in the Big Apple, heads the capital markets team at accountant and Nomad Grant Thornton. Ably assisted by senior partner Phil Secrett, he has helped 11 companies to float in 2004, most of which are in the thriving mining sector. Other deals included the Islamic Bank of Britain and cash shell Zyzygy, which made an unsuccessful attempt to acquire troubled Ofex.

13 Bill Brown/Robert Mitchell (12)

Now AIM's largest institutional backer in terms of investments made, ISIS Asset Management recently merged with rival Foreign & Colonial to create the UK's fourth largest investment company. As the power behind F&C's brace of AIM VCTs, Brown and Mitchell are among the junior market's most vociferous supporters. That said, their futures are currently shrouded in uncertainty with City rumours abounding that both are currently considering leaving the F&C fold.

14 Neil Johnson (-)

The prime mover behind Canadian-based broker Canaccord Capital's UK operations, Neil Johnson has enjoyed a busy 2004. The past 12 months have seen the Vancouver-born Johnson guide Canaccord away from its resources roots, with a series of high profile floats in the technology and life sciences sectors. A keen tennis player and golfer, Johnson has also presided over a significant recruitment drive at the brokerage in recent months.

15 Laurie Beevers/David Youngman (44)

2004 has seen WH Ireland consolidate its position as one of AIM's most active nominated advisers and brokers, the firm playing a role in 21 floats during the period. Despite retaining its traditional resource stock focus, deals have been diverse, with clients ranging from cash shells to software companies. Amiable chief exec Laurie Beevers is the fulcrum for the group's mining activities. David Youngman heads up the corporate finance team.

16 Andrew Buchanan (9)

Shrewd small company backer, keen gardener and (self-confessed) ferret racing enthusiast, Andrew Buchanan, heads Close Brothers' well-respected AIM VCT. The trust continues to be an active player in the AIM market place, with Buchanan admitting to have been particularly pleased by the progress made by shopping channel operator Ideal Shopping Direct. Close backed Ideal at its lowest ebb after a fire destroyed its studios and forced the company to broadcast out of portacabins in its car park. Since then the company's valuation has almost quadrupled.

17 Chilton Taylor (14)

Gifted wicketkeeper-turned networker extraordinaire, the immaculately coiffed Chilton Taylor continues to be a prominent figure in the growth company arena. One of only two accountants of the London Stock Exchange's AIM Advisory Group, it has been another successful year for both Taylor and his employer Baker Tilly, which earlier this year retained the title of 'Accountant of the Year' at the Growth Company Awards.

18 Tony Fry/Linda Main (-)

KPMG, one of the 'Big Four', is the most active accountant to AIM companies and is also heavily involved on the corporate finance side, bringing companies to market. Last year the team, headed by partners Tony Fry and Linda Main, was behind the first ever 'accelerated IPO', of Northumbrian Water, and this year floated massive car insurance firm Admiral.

19 Nick Robertson (-)

Robertson has presided over a 19-fold increase in the share price of AIM-quoted ASOS this year. As the online clothing retailer's largest shareholder and chief executive, this has certainly put a smile on his face – his stake is now worth more than £9 million. Robertson, in his mid-30s, is just slightly older than his typical customer – 23-year-old girls who visit TopShop.

20 Frank Malcolm (-)

Frank Malcolm, a former Inland Revenue tax inspector, is director in charge of corporate finance at Brewin Dolphin. This firm remains one of the leading smaller company brokers, having accumulated considerable experience on AIM and possessing one of the largest portfolios of AIM-quoted clients. Over the past year, the broker has helped new AIM companies raise around £15 million.

21 Bob Morton (3)

Investment specialist Morton continues to bestride the smaller companies scene like a colossus. The veteran company doctor chairs ventures ranging from facilities manager MacLellan to acquisitive software outfit Clarity Commerce, and electronic equipment maker Armour Group. Morton's Southwind vehicle lights up many an AIM share register – he is also a well-known greyhound and racehorse enthusiast.

22 Chris Akers (-)

'Well connected' and 'proven money-maker' are the labels that best describe perennial dealmaker Akers, best known for off-loading Sports Internet to BskyB for £301 million. Akers has had ups and downs though, and is now making a comeback with the two AIM shells he floated in July. Both Ardent and TMT raised £1 million – TMT is looking to invest in the technology/media sphere, whilst Ardent is after businesses in leisure and media.

23 Ken Ford (20)

Softly spoken city gent Ford is best known as chief executive of fully-listed stockbroking firm Teather & Greenwood, which enjoyed a return to form in the last year to April, converting losses of £6.8 million into a £1.3 million profit. He is ex-chairman of The Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) and a former chairman of the Society of Investment Analysts.

24 Geoff Foster (37)

The Daily Mail's market reporter has a soft spot for small caps, which he frequently highlights in his 'black box'. His tip of the year, medical device tiddler Zi Medical, enjoyed a strong spurt at the start of the year but the Arsenal fan seems to have become fascinated by the bid battle for Manchester United. He recently penned a stand-alone piece on the saga. Is he switching allegiance?

25 Pieter Totte (47)

Dutchman Totte has spent over 20 years doing deals in the food sector, focusing on floating some of his clients on AIM in recent years. These include confectioner Glisten, ingredient supplier Napier Brown and recent float Hill Station, a maker of ice cream. Most of his efforts this year have been directed at making acquisitions for Real Good Food and trying to persuade investors to back a Barramundi fish farm.

26 Bob Holt (16) Mercurial chairman of support service giant Mears and non-executive of Supporta

27 Michael Jackson (21) Chairman of Sage, Elderstreet, Computer Software Group. Part-time journalist, too.

28 Nick Hassell (23) Unflappable and supremely knowledgeable market reporter at The Times

29 Katie Potts (26) Managing director of the ever-successful fund management group Herald

30 Michael The dapper, distinguished leading light at influential investment house Rathbones

31 Richard Media-savvy kingpin at public relations outfit Buchanan

32 Leesa Peters (-) Managing director of Conduit PR. Pulled off a remarkable coup by poaching Stephen Hazell-Smith from HB Corporate

33 Phil Edmonds (40) Becoming as famous for his exploration exploits as he was for his cricket

34 Richard Smith (8) Prominent fund manager at Amvescap

35 Simon Bailey (39) Energetic fund manager at Prudential, as steadfast an AIM backer as ever

36 Martin Graham (-) Football fanatic (Chelsea!) and the man charged with AIM's growth

37 Simon Brickles (-) The man who did most to establish AIM is now rejuvenating PlusMarkets (Ofex)

38 Hugh Maule (-) Influential force at major AIM lawyers Lawrence Graham

39 Mark Taylor (30) Corporate Finance partner at DLA, still AIM's biggest law firm

40 John Gunn (15) Energetic backer, investor and promoter of innovative AIM companies

41 Clive Fiske Managing director of Fiske, the thriving private client stockbroker

42 Nigel Wray (29) Serial entrepreneur and chairman of Electric Word

43 Simon Knott (-) Discretionary Investment Trust's fund manager

44 David Blackwell (-) Dry-witted journalist with the FT

45 Bernard Fairman (-) Founder of Foresight Venture Partners, operators of the best performing VCT

46 David Page (-) Restaurant operator extraordinaire. His newest outfit is Clerkenwell Ventures

47 Michael Kirk (-) Managing director of the financial PR division of Weber Shandwick Square Mile

48 Jack Petchy (-) The time share and property king with stakes in the likes of Stylo and Headway

49 Micky Clarke (45) Evening Standard market reporter and morning radio DJ

50 Philip Bridges (-) CEO of RAB Captial, major backer of many exploration ventures