S ir Stelios Haji-Ioannou is a Greek-Cypriot entrepreneur best known for founding the low-cost airline easyJet. He is the son of a wealthy Greek-Cypriot shipping magnate, but he struck out on his own to make his fortune. After receiving a substantial loan from his father, he founded easyJet in 1995 with just two leased aircraft. He pioneered the budget airline model in Europe, offering rock-bottom fares by cutting out frills like free meals and selling tickets directly to consumers online.

The airline was a massive success, and its bright orange branding became ubiquitous across Europe. He took the company public in 2000 but has since become a vocal activist shareholder, often publicly clashing with the airline's management over its strategy. He has licensed the 'easy' brand to a wide range of other ventures, including easyHotel, easyCar, and easyBus, through his private investment vehicle, easyGroup. He was knighted by the Queen in 2006 for his services to entrepreneurship.