Queen’s academics Dr Michael Aldous and Professor John Turner from Queen’s Business School launch their new book The CEO: The Rise and Fall of Britain’s Captains of Industry - a deep dive into the history of Britain’s corporate leaders.

Published by Cambridge University Press (2025), The CEO traces the evolution of British CEOs over the past century - from gentleman amateurs to professional managers, entrepreneurs, frauds, and fat cats.

In the book Dr Aldous and Professor Turner discuss the characters who have made it to the top of the corporate ladder, how they got there, what their rise tells us about society, and how their leadership shaped the nation's economic journey. The book also explores why some CEOs propelled progress – and others slowed it down - and what lessons today’s business world must learn.

Speaking about the publication, Dr Aldous said: “As well as those interested in business, I’m hoping that people who are interested in British history might find the book interesting, as it tells a story about Britain’s twentieth century economic, social, and political histories from the perspective of its corporate leaders. THE CEO provides new insights and fresh perspectives on some big questions about the evolution of the British economy, meritocracy and social mobility, and the relationships between business and politics.”

Professor Turner added: “Using a novel database, THE CEO takes the reader on a riveting journey through the history of the CEO, telling the story of the rise and fall of the CEOs of Britain’s largest companies. The book asks who gets to the top, who succeeds, who fails, and why they are paid so much?”

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Zara McBreaty - Z.McBrearty@qub.ac.uk