Martin Bouygues

Brothers control 19% of Bouygues Group, diversified industrial conglomerate founded by their father in 1952. Martin is chairman and chief executive; Olivier is deputy chief executive. $44.8 billion (sales) company has interests in telecom, media, construction. Well known construction projects have included the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca, Morocco; University of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia; English Channel Tunnel; the Kwun Tong viaduct in Hong Kong; motorways in Hungary and the Sydney CityRail airport link. Martin, who celebrated 20 years as head of Bouygues in September 2009, is close confidant of French President Nicolas Sarkozy and godfather of the president's son. Was awarded the Legion d'honneur in July 2010.