No. 9: Florentino Perez (ACS)

Publicado em 5/07/2018

To the average person on the street, Florentino Perez is known for being the uncompromising president of Real Madrid, one of the world’s top football clubs. But the 72-year-old is also a businessman, one every bit as successful as the team that plays at the Bernabeu.

Year took up current function: 1993

Sector: Civil Engineering

Turnover in 2018: $40.2bn

Growth in 2018: 5%

This civil engineer by trade, whose personal wealth is estimated at $2.2 billion, is the CEO of Grupo ACS, the leading infrastructure and energy construction company. In 2018 ACS, in partnership with Italian company Atlantia, completed the takeover of toll road operator Abertis for almost $19 billion – an advantageous acquisition which saw Grupo ACS become the No.1 toll operator in the world, leapfrogging Vinci and Macquarrie. Perez’ order book rose to $72 billion in 2019, with new contracts in North America and Australia.