Schuh boss earns top ten spot in poll of CEOs

Colin Temple is in the top ten in the chief executive charts. Picture: Phil Wilkinson

Temple grabbed tenth place in the listing of the top 25 company bosses, while Cook was ranked 21st. The survey – published today – was topped by Larry Page, the chief executive and founder of internet search giant Google.

Recruitment outfit Glassdoor complied its rankings based on the input of UK-based employees, who provided feedback via a company review survey.

Livingston-basedSchuh was acquired by US-based Genesco in 2011 in a £125 million deal. It agreed to put in place a bonus system that recently saw thousands of workers share in a £25m windfall.

Teesside-born Temple has been at Schuh for most of his working life, having joined the firm in the 1980s as a merchandiser from Woolworths where he had been working in its London head office. He was appointed managing director in 2003 and participated in a management buyout a year later.

Today’s survey, which was conducted anonymously, saw Ken Chenault of American Express and David Dyson of mobile network Three take second and third places, respectively. The only female chief executive in the top 25 was Carolyn McCall, the head of budget airline EasyJet, at number five.

All of the firms are either based in the UK or have operations employing staff there.

Glassdoor chief executive and co-founder Robert Hohman said: “Gaining the trust and approval of an entire workforce is one of the most difficult yet rewarding responsibilities for any leader.

“Winning a Glassdoor employees’ choice award is a significant achievement for any CEO regardless of fame, fortune or company size.”

Among the remarks relating to Temple was one from a Newcastle-based trainee manager who said of Schuh: “Fantastic training and progression opportunities. Fantastic senior management team.” Another remarked: “Leadership is brilliant.”