Welcome to the 2019 Power 50 list, which ranks the most influential people in the industry.

#34 Chris Lee, Brand Addition

2018 Rank: 38 
Title: CEO
Industry Experience: 19 years

Lee, Counselor’s 2013 International Person of the Year, oversees the second largest distributor in the U.K. with a vast European reach and operations in North America and Asia. In the face of challenges like Brexit, various tax laws and safety regulations, the unflappable Lee says Brand Addition group sales are on target to increase by 9% in 2019. “I remember being a guest at the Power Summit last year and saying Brexit was scary,” says Lee. “I never thought by the end of 2019 we’d still be debating how or even if Brexit will happen. We’re continuing to plan for the worse case position and adapting the plan and its timing as each day passes. That’s all we can do.”