EasyJet chairman Stephen Hester has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours list.
Hester joined the airline in September 2021 and became chair on December 1, 2021, having previously been chief executive of RSA Insurance Group, Royal Bank of Scotland Group and British Land. He is also chair of Nordea Bank and receives the honour for services to business and the economy.
Others from the travel industry to receive honours include Heathrow operations director Kathryn Leahy, who receives an OBE for services to aviation, transport and major events, and British Airways senior emerging talent manager Melissa Richardson, who receives an MBE for services to early careers in aviation.
Former Heathrow chief of staff and general counsel and British Tourist Authority board member Carol Hui also receives an OBE for services to tourism.
Further MBEs were awarded to Catherine Skidmore, head of aviation resilience at the Department for Transport, for services to major event responses, and Gordon McIntyre, founder and chair of Hospitality Health, for services to the tourism and hospitality industry in Scotland.
Richardson said: “I am truly honoured and extremely humbled to have been awarded with an MBE for services to early careers in aviation. I am very lucky that my job is my passion, and I have been able to shape the lives of so many students, raising aspirations and working with young people from all walks of life over the last decade.
“I am excited about the opportunities this award will give me in continuing to support the next generation.”