When it comes to corporate power and influence, sometimes bigger is still better. Lindsay Maxsted, the chairman of Westpac and roads operator Transurban and a director of mining behemoth BHP, has again topped the AFR BOSS magazine list of Australia’s most powerful directors.

The list, prepared by consultants Board Outlook, is based on market capitalisation as at September 6, where the directors sit on more than one board. No extra weighting is given to chairman roles.