59. John Witherow

Job: editor, Sunday Times Age: 60 Industry: publishing, digital 2011 ranking: 57 Now 60, John Witherow is fast becoming one of Fleet Street's veterans. He has been editor of the Sunday Times since 1994 and is probably sick of being described as Murdoch's longest-serving editor. This year Witherow has distanced his paper and reporters from any of the stain of impropriety over phone hacking. He also saw off criticisms from the former prime minister Gordon Brown over the tactics the paper used to probe his finances. Beyond that, his paper continues to outsell its rival quality Sundays – the Observer, Sindy and Sunday Telegraph – put together. However, it is now permanently below the 1m sales mark and he will be hoping the new £2.50 cover price does not dent circulation further. The ad slump has also meant that his paper is no longer the cash cow it once was, hence his slight fall in the list, even if its much-praised iPad app has also revolutionised readers' Sunday morning read.