TITLE: CEO 
COMPANY: Toyota Europe 
BASED: Brussels, Belgium
NATIONALITY: French

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Started as Toyota Europe president in 2010 after holding top positions with the automaker in manufacturing, sales and marketing. Has been a managing officer for Toyota Motor Corp. since 2007 and the company's global chief quality officer since 2010. Joined Toyota in 1998 after 16 years with Renault, where he held top jobs in manufacturing.

REASON FOR WINNING:Toyota is profitable in Europe because of bold moves made by Leroy. He reduced staff by 2,500 between 2009 and 2012 and streamlined the automaker's European car plants. He delivered the equivalent of 434 million euros in operating profit to headquarters in Japan during the fiscal year that ended in March. It was the company's second straight year in the black after four years of losses.