EasyGroup chairman Stelios Haji-Ioannou who was knighted on Wednesday has marked the occasion by creating the ‘Disabled entrepreneur of the year award’ in partnership with charity Leonard Cheshire.
An annual award of £50,000 cash will be presented, for the first time in mid 2007, and Haji-Ioannou has pledged to fund the prize for at least ten years.
It will run in conjunction with Leonard Cheshire that operates a scheme to assist disabled people to start their own business and another company, which is still to be announced, but is likely to be from the accounting or banking sectors and will help decide who wins the award.
Haji-Ioannou said: “In line with my policy of repaying debt to society I have decided to set up this annual award.
“I know first hand how difficult it is to succeed in running your own business and to do this while being disabled is a feat which I admire and support.”
Haji-Ioannou was joined at Buckingham Palace for the knighting ceremony by easyGroup head of Culture Tracy Ghori and senior cabin crew member Henry Matheson.