Why on the list: arm is the main designer of RISC (reduced instruction set computing) chips used in such battery-powered information appliances as handlheld PCs and mobile phones.

FORBES: 20 FOR 2000

Maintaining some of its glamour, the car-free main shopping street of Via Matteotti is lined with upscale boutiques selling furs, designer handbags and evening gowns.

BBC: Have the Italian Riviera all to yourself

That is why the designer of the scheme, Portman Capital, is stressing that it believes the main argument for privatising in this unprecedented way is that it would actually maximise proceeds for the Exchequer, in the short term at least - which is not as paradoxical as it may seem.

BBC: Bank casino capitalism for all