With no fewer than three appearances in the FN 100 rankings, networker extraordinaire Bob Wigley was one of the biggest names in banking. Since stepping down as chairman of Merrill Lynch’s European business early last year, he has remained prominent in the City of London. Besides a slew of advisory and consultancy roles, the one-time university disc jockey has also found time to indulge non-City passions including making a Second World War film.

Wigley joined Merrill Lynch in 1996 from Morgan Grenfell, working his way through the US firm's investment banking ranks and carving out a reputation for his enviable client skills.