Oliver, who started the apprentice restaurant Fifteen in 2002 before going on to launch restaurant groups Jamie's Italian and Union Jacks, took top place in the survey which asked 2,500 office workers to vote for the individual they thought would be the most rewarding boss in the UK.
The celebrity chef pipped Alan Sugar and London Mayor Boris Johnson to the top of the list who came second and third respectively.
Ramsay, who recently rewarded Restaurant Gordon Ramsay head chef Clare Smyth a partnership in recognition of her achievement and loyalty, came in at number nine, one ahead of Prime Minister David Cameron.
Rewarding success
The study, made to coincide with the anniversary of Jurys Inn's Jurys Rewards loyalty scheme, also looked at the way managers reward their teams' successes. Today, fewer than 20 per cent of bosses take their team to the pub to celebrate a new business win or other achievement, instead preferring to bring cakes and treats into the office.
Office workers are not so keen to socialise with their colleagues after work either the survey found. Just 7 per cent said they would head to the pub for after-work drinks with colleagues while 43 per cent said they preferred to go home and put their feet up.
Loyalty
Suzanne Cannon, group marketing manager at Jurys Inn said the change in attitude to celebrating success was likely down to the economic downturn with more workers and consumers forced to find cheaper ways to celebrate or find better deals with vouchers or by signing up to loyalty schemes.
“We have seen a 144 per cent rise in the number of guests signing up to our Jurys Rewards loyalty scheme over the last year," she said. "It appears that more and more people want to feel that they are being recognised for their efforts and realise they can achieve this themselves by joining up to a rewards scheme.
“Our study showed that less than 7 per cent of people would reward their hard work by booking themselves a holiday. We feel it is so important to recognise and reward our guests’ loyalty and our Jurys Rewards programme offers a wide range of gifts as well as the ability to redeem points against room nights.
“Our guests can redeem points against the things that they find most rewarding, whether it is a weekend city break or treat, the main thing is that they can reward themselves without putting their hand in their pocket and that means a lot in today’s climate.”
Top 10 Most Rewarding Celebrity Bosses:
- Jamie Oliver
- Lord Alan Sugar
- Sir Alex Ferguson
- Boris Johnson
- Hilary Devey
- Jose Mourinho
- Simon Cowell
- Lord Sebastian Coe
- Gordon Ramsay
- David Cameron
Who do you think in the hospitality industry is the most rewarding boss? Let us know by leaving a comment in the box below.