Frederik Paulsen

Frederick Paulsen inherited small drugmaker Ferring Pharmaceuticals, founded by his father in 1950.

When he took over running the business in 1983, it generated $15 million in annual revenue.

Today the biotech outfit, which makes infertility, obstetrics, urology, gastroenterology and endocrinology drugs, has estimated sales of $2.2 billion.

Ferring employs more than 6,500 people and has subsidiaries in nearly 60 countries.

Board members include Hélène Ploix, former director of the IMF, and Alexandra, the Countess of Frederiksborg, a former Danish princess.