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Virgin founder Richard Branson ranked best online influencer by LinkedIn in 2017 Top Voices list

RIchard Branson was crowned number one in LinkedIn's Top Voices of 2017: Getty Images
RIchard Branson was crowned number one in LinkedIn's Top Voices of 2017: Getty Images

Richard Branson has been named the most influential person of the year online by LinkedIn.

The online networking site ranked the Virgin Group founder as number one on their 2017 Top Voices list, compiled every year to rate the individuals who have contributed the most to the web platform.

Mr Branson was followed by former Dragon’s Den investor James Caan CBE and Paul Polman, the CEO of Unilever.

Three of this year’s top 10 to make the cut were women including Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of Oxfam International, and Meabh Quoirin, the CEO of Foresight Factory, who both feature in the annual list for a second year.

Emily Spaven, LinkedIn’s UK News Editor said: “Almost 1,000 posts are being shared every minute on LinkedIn – that's hundreds of thousands of insights, ideas and anecdotes sparking new conversations every day.

“Our combination of data and editorial insight has helped us highlight the voices that are really making an impact, and those that are spreading their knowledge to their network and beyond.”

LinkedIn Top Voices 2017

1. Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group

2. James Caan CBE, CEO of Recruitment Guide

3. Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever

4. Bernard Marr, Founder and CEO of Bernard Marr & Co

5. Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of Oxfam International

6. Azeem Azhar, Advisory Board Member of Harvard Business Review

7. Meabh Quoirin, Co-owner and CEO of Foresight Factory

8. Chris Parr, Digital and Communities Editor of TES Global Limited

9. Alistair Cox, Chief Executive of Hays PLC

10. Sarah Wood, CEO of Unruly

The Top Voices list ranks the “best contributors” on the site, rating people on their posts onto the site and how the content is received.