We're measuring that in terms of revenues and reach, of course, as China Mobile is now the biggest by numbers, and it is an empire Sarin looked set on expanding earlier this year as Vodafone made a play for AT&T Wireless in the US.

That bid ultimately didn't come off but this wasn't seen by the panel as a corporate disaster or a sign of weakness from the man who replaced that most famous of deal-makers, Chris Gent.

Sarin's guile and long career in telecoms as well as his relationships with Microsoft, Nokia, RIM, Symbian and a host of other big hitters means he is likely to remain a top-tier Agenda Setter for some time.