the top tier
noun[S]
ukusthe mostimportantpeoplein agroup,companiesin anindustry, etc.:
in the top tier (of sth)It's in thetoptierofprivatebanks, whichofferextraordinaryservicestowealthyclients.
top-tier
adjective
The nation's top-tierbusinessschoolsexceededtheirexpectedsalesgrowththisyear.