Google has been named as world’s top brand by a UK survey of 500 brands voted on by a panel of 1500 managers, organised by the Centre for Brand Analysis (CBA).

While the search engine topped the list of brands, its popularity couldn’t stop its email system, Gmail, crashing across the world. Google did not say initially what had caused the service problem that hit customers for a number of hours, affecting more than 100 million users worldwide.

Google was followed on the list by British jet engine and car maker Rolls Royce in the list. Electronics giant Sony, Microsoft and mobile phone maker Nokia completed the top five.

However BBC Worldwide, which held the top slot back in 2007 but dropped out of the top 10 this year, fell from number four to 15, possibly due to a host of problems recently months, including the Jonathan Ross/Russell Brand lewd phone calls scandal and fixed TV phone-in competitions.

Business Superbrands Top 10 2009:

1. Google
2. Rolls Royce
3. Sony
4. Microsoft
5. Nokia
6. GlaxoSmithKline
7. London Stock Exchange
8. Michelin
9. BP
10. Bupa