Thomas Cook chief executive Harriet Green won the Leader of the Year award at the National Business Awards in London last night.
She emerged victorious from a public vote and a ballot of 40 chief executives and other business experts.
Green was one of five chief executives nominated for the top award, including the bosses of Barclaycard, DHL Express and Compass Group.
Prime Minister David Cameron provided a video address to the awards, promoting the virtues of a strong private sector.