Wikipedia and Amazon chiefs among new entries to Who's Who 2009

London, Dec 4 : Wikipedia founder and chief executive, Jimmy Wales, and Brian McBride, vice-president of Amazon have been added to this year's list of Who's Who.

In a list dominated by high-flyers from media, banking and retail, Wales' name has come as a surprise new entry in the latest edition of Who's Who 2009.

Wales, 42, listed his hobbies as "international travel, free speech, free culture, contributing to Wikipedia, commerce and technology".

The 2009 edition of the list has over 100 first-time entrants from the world of business, all if whom gave insight into their CVs and recreational activities.

On the other hand, online companies did particularly well in the list, with Brian McBride, vice-president of Amazon and UK managing director, among the most prominent.

"It's nice to be included, but I think it's more a recognition of Amazon's success than anything I've done. I'm surprised I've got time for any recreation, but I do enjoy golf," The Telegraph quoted McBride as saying.

Coming from the retail sector, the biggest name was Andy Bond, chief executive of Asda since 2005, because of his role in reversing the supermarket's decline.

"My inclusion in the list is down to the hard work of all my colleagues at ASDA. I'm proud to lead a great team of people, who are more focused than ever on saving people money at a time when they need it most," said Bond.

Other notable retailers making to the list were Kate Bostock, executive director for clothing at Marks and Spencer, Jason Gissing, co-founder of grocery delivery service Ocado, and David Reiss, managing director of high-end clothing chain Reiss.

Many of the media executives were also included in the list, including those belonging to music, advertising, marketing and public relations.

There were also a few commercial figures from television, radio or newspapers.

The inclusion of Lucian Grainge, chairman and chief executive of Universal Music, came as no shock.

He described his recreations as automobiles and soccer, but perhaps surprisingly, did not mention music.

"This is less about me and more about the artists who are at the heart of creative Britain. Their value must be acknowledged and sustained as we all manoeuvre through difficult times," said Grainge.

ANI