The A-List: 2008

Born

9th September 1952

Job

Global recruitment director

Company

WPP

Work Telephone

+44 (0)20 7408 2204.

Address

27 Farm Street, London, W1J 5RJ

Fantasy business partner

Mr Montgomery Burns.

How do you off-set your carbon footprint?

Jimmy Choo.

Greatest influence

Miss Preston. The head mistress at Ivydale Primary.

Clubs

The Chocolate Society.

Favourite gadget

Mrs Danvers, my cleaner.

Desert island objects

Bollinger, mascara and more Bollinger.

Most-admired politician

Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury.

Favourite media

The Times, Tatler, The Bill, Radio 4, www.net-a-porter.com.

Biggest risk taken

Getting married.

Perfect day

Breakfast at Cipriani, lunch on Torcello, drinks at The Gritti Palace.

Who should play you in the film of your life?

Diana Dors.

Career highlights

Marketing trainee at Spillers Foods. Account management at Bates, Lintas and Leo Burnett. Executive search at Stevens Company. Joined WPP in 2000.

Fictional hero

Satan in Paradise Lost.

Hidden talent

My assistants, Sue and Clare.

Best job outside advertising

On-course bookies runner.

Lowdown

Illingworth is a key figure in Sir Martin Sorrell's ongoing efforts to find the best talent for senior roles at WPP operating companies. She is highly regarded for the passion she brings to the job, being a good listener, and for her straight-talking style.

Most expensive purchase

Which week?

Why are you good at what you do?

I know everything about everybody in this book.