The phrase "upper ranks" refers to the highest levels or positions in a group, organization, or social hierarchy. It usually refers to the people who hold more power, authority, and influence within that specific group. Full definition
Millennials — born 1977 to 1995 — are moving more and more into the middle and upper ranks of corporate life as boomers leave conventional full - time jobs. (inc.com)
What has the legal profession's upper ranks abuzz is that for decades partners almost never left Cravath voluntarily — not for other law firms, at least, let alone for a firm like Kirkland, which is in some ways Cravath's polar opposite. (nytimes.com)
Paralysis gripped the upper ranks in Canada, as executives had either disappeared in mysteriously long meetings or were busy speculating on what was going to happen. (canadianbusiness.com)