Last year's position : Not Placed

Straight into the top 10 for the quiet man of public sector tech but someone who the panel feel holds the real power when it comes to government IT. Gershon took the reins at the OGC in 2000, charged with cracking down on wasted government spending across all areas but has taken a particular interest in addressing the billions thrown at failed IT projects, implementing strict 'gateway' checks on all new major technology programmes and negotiating a £100m saving through a central government licensing deal with Microsoft.

Former CEO of BAE Systems, Gershon also has 30-years of experience in the telecoms and computer industry, including almost two decades at ICL (now Fujitsu Services). Keeps out of the limelight but "very powerful, very effective" according to the panel and has formed a strong alliance with e-Envoy Andrew Pinder. His contract is due to finish next year and current speculation suggests a government-wide CIO role will be created to oversee a more co-ordinated public sector IT strategy.