Sir Cameron is to take some of his hit shows to China

The impresario beat fellow stage mogul Andrew Lloyd Webber to the top spot for the first time in eight years.

Lord Lloyd-Webber topped the survey last year along with producer David Ian, his collaborator on TV talent show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?

Sir Cameron is to work with Lord Lloyd-Webber on a new BBC talent search to find the next stars of Oliver!

Sir Cameron's success was attributed to his decision to spend �35m on refurbishing his West End theatres and a deal to take his hit shows like Miss Saigon and Phantom Of The Opera to China.

THE STAGE 100: TOP 10 1. Cameron Mackintosh 2. Andrew Lloyd Webber (above) 3. Howard Panter / Rosemary Squire (Ambassador Theatre Group) 4. Nicholas Hytner (National Theatre) 5. Nica Burns / Max Weitzenhoffer (Nimax) 6. Bill Kenwright (producer) 7. David Ian (Live Nation) 8. Michael Boyd (Royal Shakespeare Company) 9. Nick Thomas / Jon Conway (panto producers Qdos) 10. Vicky Featherstone / John Tiffany (National Theatre of Scotland)

Lord Lloyd-Webber fell to number two in The Stage's top 100, while Ian - who launched rival talent show Grease Is The Word for ITV - slipped to seven.

Stage editor Brian Attwood said: "Cameron Mackintosh has never been out of the upper echelons of The Stage 100 but has had to wait nearly a decade to regain top billing.

"This year he presents an unassailable case for the number one slot. In the West End, he has led the way by refurbishing his playhouses at a cost of �35m, while on television, his production of Oliver! is the BBC's latest musical theatre talent show.

"Meanwhile, his agreement with Beijing will introduce his productions to a potential audience of millions and guarantees him an unrivalled global influence."

Also on the list, put together by the paper's staff, are Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire - who run the Ambassador Theatre Group - and National Theatre director Nicholas Hytner.

Nica Burns and Max Weitzenhoffer, whose Nimax firm runs five West End theatres, complete the top five.