April 18, 2002 at 3:26 pm
Entrepreneur Stelios Haji-Ioannou is to step down as chairman of budget airline Easyjet.
Stelios will remain chairmen of other companies in the Easy empire, including the Easyeverything internet cafe chain and Easyrentacar.
He will be replaced by Sir Colin Chandler, the chairman of Vickers Defence Systems.
Stelios said he would step down in 2003.He said that he would retain a significant stake in Easyjet “for a very long time” but said his strengths lay in setting up businesses rather than being the chairman of a public company.His move follows pressure from major shareholders, who generally prefer chairmen to be less intimately involved with a company.
Its a pitty he is stepping down,he has done wonders for Easyjet making them one of the most profitable airlnes in the UK.He will be missed.
By: planedude757 - 20th April 2002 at 18:55
RE: No more Stelios at EasyJet
He will be truly missed. As long as easyJet don’t go to the darkside and order Airbus i’m sure everything will go according to plan
Regards, Boeing’s biggest fan, planedude757
By: Bhoy - 18th April 2002 at 18:34
RE: No more Stelios at EasyJet
As I understood it, the Stock Exchange wasn’t ahppy with the Chairman being the main stock holder, as it could cause a conflict of interest. I don’t think he’s walking away from easyjet, just from the day to day running of the company.
By: Benair316P - 18th April 2002 at 18:13
RE: No more Stelios at EasyJet
This is a shame. As you say…he has done wonders for EZY. Lets hope his departure will not signal a change for the worse in EZY.
Regards
Ben