Melanie Armstrong | No 26

Retailer: head of music, HMV Head of music is an enormously ­powerful role at the UK's last high-street music chain. But HMV is ­struggling to keep pace with what customers want: ­witness the multimillion-pound ­debacle of its much-vaunted Get Closer social ­network. This week's sale of ­Waterstone's will certainly alleviate the financial pressure a little, but with 40 store closures announced in ­January and sales down nearly 20% in the last three months, will it be enough to secure the firm's future?