While there’s no doubt that each year’s run-down has had a different look and feel (no prizes for guessing this year’s theme) the one thing that they have had in common is the goal of celebrating the industry’s brightest and best.

It goes without saying that the rankings have always been littered with the bosses of many of the UK’s largest print-related companies, and deservedly so. However, just as important are the self-made men and women of smaller businesses that make an impact every year. Their names may change from one ranking to the next, but each and every one of them has earned their place by making up for what they lack in scale with their influence in the industry, earned through innovation (see entries such as 100, 94, 92 and 81 to see what I mean).

Of course, each year the debate at PrintWeek Towers on the running order of the final ranking gets hotter, and this year was no different. However, it’s made a little easier by the knowledge that we’re not the only ones that struggle to put our fingers on what defines true power in the print industry, as illustrated by the 2,100 of you who voted in this year’s public poll; is it popularity, spending power, innovation, the company that the individual represents, or perhaps a combination of all of the above?

For us, it has to be impact. And that’s why the person that tops this year’s ranking of the industry’s most influential individuals, has, with his fellow directors, changed the shape, and hopefully the course, of one of the most troubled sectors of print.

I don’t want to spoil the surprise though, so I’ll say no more other than that I hope you enjoy reading this year’s PrintWeek Power 100 as much as the team enjoyed putting it together.

POWER 100 2011: ALPHABETICAL LIST
Aintaoui Bachar
Alderson Peter
Alexander Nick
Allen David 
Bailey Jon
Bannayi Basil   
Barlow Wayne   
Barrow Lascelle   
Berg Simon   
Biltcliffe Simon   
Bird Samantha   
Birkin Roger    
Blundell Andy   
Bobb Sidney   
Brinton (senior) Tony    
Burke Catherine    
Chard Tony    
Coggins Paul   
Cornford Mark    
Cromack Jason    
Cruise Mark   
Dalton Keith   
Desmond Richard    
Donnelly Conor    
Elliott Tim    
Evans Anthony    
Felstead Mark    
Filler Brian   
France Simon   
Francis John    
Galloway Bernard    
George Ian    
Gibbons Mark    
Gibbons Phil    
Golicheff François    
Gray Richard    
Greene Moya   
Griffiths Graham    
Haithwaite Steve    
Hannam Terry    
Hards Tony    
Hayes Greg    
Heanue Gerard    
Hibbert Barry    
Hodgkinson Shaun    
Holland David    
Hornby John    
Jamison Sara    
Janes Nancy    
Jenkins Nick    
Johnson Tom    
Johnston Peter    
Jolly Matt    
Jones Andy    
Jones Andrew    
Kerridge Mark    
Knapp Christian    
Knight John    
Lennon Tony    
Linney Miles    
Lock Tony    
MacMillan Robert    
Madejski Sir John    
Mahoney Gary    
Martell Patrick    
McGee Brian    
McPhillips Mark    
Middleton Rupert    
Mitchell David   
Moore Simon   
Moross Richard    
Morris Peter   
Novick Dani  
Nunn Steve    
Olley Jon    
Palmer Stephen    
Parish Steve    
Peeling Gary        
Phillips Mike        
Pigott Luke    
Pindar Andrew    
Rafferty Tony    
Revill Norman    
Roberts Gareth    
Saunders Gary    
Scanlon Mark    
Scott Jasper   
Sheldrick Mark    
Sibbald Steve    
Spencer Dave    
Sutton Neil    
Thirlby Anthony    
Thompson George    
Utting Paul    
Ward Simon    
Watson Alastair    
Watts Terry    
Welch Robin    
Whiteside Robert    
Woodward Kathy

To find out where everyone in this year's Power 100 ranked on the list, visit power100.printweek.com