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Business Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Post
Promoting economic cross-border cooperation to boost prosperity North and South
The Good Friday Agreement marked a pivotal point in the history of Ireland, paving the way for lasting peace and renewed cooperation between North and South. However, business leaders have long recognised that more could be done to boost cooperation - particularly from a business point of view. This new initiative, launched by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou – creator and owner of the easy family of brands including and many others (see and – and the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation (see and aims to foster mutual understanding, economic prosperity and lasting peace on the island of Ireland. The Awards will recognise and encourage companies and entrepreneurs from both sides of the border that collaborate building trust, creating lasting jobs and boosting economic wellbeing in communities. The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation has a proven 20-year track record of philanthropy across Europe, with Ireland now a key focus. Its work spans both high-impact charities and grassroots initiatives, with a consistent emphasis on supporting entrepreneurship, education, disability rights, food security, and cross-community peace. The awards are inspired by the success of similar initiatives run by the Stelios Foundation in Cyprus - the birthplace of Sir Stelios' parents – for the last 16 years. The bi-communal awards in Cyprus reward Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot entrepreneurs who are engaged in joint business on the island. The connection between Sir Stelios and Ireland goes back decades. In 1998, just months after the Good Friday Agreement, easyJet launched its first flights between London and Belfast, opening up new opportunities for travel and trade. Today, easyJet is the market leader amongst airlines in Belfast, with seven in 10 passengers flying with the airline. Retired Irish ambassador Daniel Mulhall has acted as Sir Stelios' advisor in the establishment of the awards, as he told the Business Post. 'I met Stelios at an event in Monaco and he told me he was keen to do some philanthropic work in Ireland,' said Mulhall. 'We talked about a number of ideas and eventually we settled upon the North South Business Cooperation Awards. Stelios has a similar awards scheme in Cyprus. Of course, the situation in Cyprus is very different from Ireland, but the idea of using business as a way of creating connections between people and spreading prosperity across the island I felt was very relevant to Ireland. 'His approach is very much driven by his experience in building companies. He's very much of the view that business has a wider social relevance, that it can build a kind of prosperity that boosts peace and reconciliation.' The North–South Business Cooperation Awards will award €500,000 in cash prizes to nine teams, who have started businesses registered in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland within the past five years and are now trading cross-border. As a former Irish ambassador, Mulhall recognises the power of economic cooperation to boost peace and prosperity. 'I worked with the Dept of Foreign Affairs in Ireland for 44 years, serving as ambassador in Berlin, Washington and London. I was also involved in 1998 at the time of the Good Friday agreement; from that time, I've been strongly committed to the idea of economic cooperation on the island of Ireland – that's why I'm delighted to be supporting a scheme like this. It's designed to encourage entrepreneurs, both North and South, to work together and build businesses that enhance the prosperity and wellbeing of communities across the island of Ireland.' Mulhall introduced Sir Stelios to Co-operation Ireland, which partnered with the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation on the event. Eligible companies are now invited to enter the awards, with a high-profile ceremony at Castle Leslie Estate, Co Monaghan, taking place on Thursday 30 October 2025. Chosen for its symbolic location near the border, Castle Leslie reflects the spirit of cross-community partnership. Sir Stelios will personally present the awards and meet the finalists. 'Cross-border business partnerships can play a powerful role in promoting peace, prosperity and shared understanding,' said Ian Jeffers, chief executive of Co-operation Ireland. 'These awards recognise that co-operation is not just a shared ideal – it's a powerful driver of real economic progress. Sir Stelios' commitment to backing ambitious entrepreneurs across the island is both timely and inspiring. By supporting ventures that operate beyond traditional boundaries, we're helping to embed lasting economic ties that benefit communities North and South.' The North–South Business Cooperation Awards are designed to be an annual event, with Mulhall hopeful that the initiative will build momentum to create real change in both communities. 'The potential for North–South business cooperation has been stunted for far too long. It has blossomed over the last 20-plus years, with organisations like InterTradeIreland setting up, but I think the potential is very strong, especially given developments in the global economy and the European Union. I would like to see these awards contributing to further cross-border economic cooperation to benefit communities North and South.' Applications are now open for cross-border business entrepreneurs that meet the criteria. Full details and entry forms are available at and
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EasyJet tycoon loses copyright battle against charity-fundraising site
The billionaire founder of easyJet has been defeated in a long-running copyright legal battle against a charity-fundraising site. Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the tycoon behind easyGroup, last year filed a lawsuit against Easyfundraising, accusing the Staffordshire-based company of copyright infringement. A High Court judge ruled in favour of the fundraising platform, but Sir Stelios mounted an appeal, arguing there were a 'number of contradictions' in the judgment. But in a ruling last week, the UK Appeals Court upheld the decision and sided with Easyfundraising. In their judgment, Lord Justice Coulson, Lord Justice Arnold and Lord Justice Zacaroli said: 'The presence of the word 'easy' itself is not sufficient to lead an average consumer to think that Easyfundraising or easysearch must be connected with easyLife.' They ruled it was unlikely that the similarity in names would confuse consumers, adding: 'Unsurprisingly, there was no evidence of any confusion by advertisers, despite easyfundraising having been in operation since 2005.' Easy lawsuits The decision marks an embarrassing setback for Sir Stelios, who has gained notoriety for his aggressive tactics in defending trademarks. In 2023, the British pop group Easy Life were forced to change their name after easyGroup, which owns the brand rights to online retailer Easylife, filed a copyright infringement claim. EasyGroup described the band as a 'brand thief', despite them forming seven years before the conglomerate bought the retailer's brand name. Easy Life said they were unable to defend the lawsuit because of the financial burden and have now changed their name to Hard Life. Sir Stelios founded easyJet in 1995 and grew it into one of Europe's largest low-cost airlines. He stepped down from the board in 2010 following a clash over the future direction of the company, but his family still retains a 15pc stake. The Greek-Cypriot billionaire also licenses out the 'easy' brand name through easyGroup to a host of other ventures including easyHotel, easyCar and easyBus. Sir Stelios, who created the 'easy' family of brands in 1994 and owns all the intellectual property rights through easyGroup, has pursued a number of other companies on copyright grounds. Easyfundraising, which was founded in 2005, is a cashback website that allows customers to donate part of what they spend online shopping to a charity of their choice. The company says it has raised more than £60m for charities and good causes across the UK. Following last year's High Court ruling, Sir Stelios accused Easyfundraising, which is backed by private equity firm Palatine, of falsely marketing itself as a charity. James Moir, chief executive of Easyfundraising, has said the platform had never claimed to be a charity, describing it instead as a 'technology-for-good company'. He added: 'Our decision to not back down against easyGroup's ridiculous claims and bully-boy tactics was vindicated last year and was vindicated again today. 'This case has already taken up many months of management and business time that could have been far better spent on our core business of helping charities and good causes raise as much money as possible. 'We have never claimed to be part of easyGroup, and we hope that this judgement gives heart to others being sued by easyGroup that they can see them in court – and win.' EasyGroup said it was considering whether the case could be referred to the Supreme Court and was planning separate legal action in Ireland over the use of the Easyfundraising name in the EU. A spokesman said the company was also pursuing a complaint with the UK Charity Commission, adding: 'They are casino capitalists making a killing with their investment.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. 登入存取你的投資組合
Belfast Telegraph
16-07-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Building Bridges: Ireland can benefit from more cross-border business collaboration
The Stelios Foundation, established by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands, has a distinguished history in supporting entrepreneurship, education and cross-community cooperation. Its latest initiative, the North-South Business Cooperation Awards, brings that ethos to Ireland with a prize fund of €500,000 to celebrate and support cross-border business collaboration. These new awards came about indirectly from a talk I gave at the Princess Grace Irish Library in Monaco, which is supported by Sir Stelios. During a function attended by His Royal Highness Prince Albert at which I spoke about Irish America, Sir Stelios told me of his desire to expand his philanthropy in Ireland by supporting business development there. That was music to my ears. During my 44 years with Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs, I always attached priority to economic diplomacy. I take the view that prosperity provides communities with the financial wherewithal to give effect to societal goals and ambitions. Sir Stelios and I discussed his idea of boosting entrepreneurship in Ireland through North-South business awards modelled on what the Stelios Foundation already does in Cyprus. I was enthusiastic about his idea because of my long-term interest in strengthening cross-border economic ties. I take the view that both parts of Ireland benefit from economic expansion across the border. Economically, we are in it together and can help each other swim in the increasingly-turbulent tide of today's world. During my time as Ambassador in London and especially in Washington, I cooperated closely with those whose job it was to promote Northern Ireland's economic interests, which overlapped strongly with the interests I was there to advance. I was in Belfast in April 1998 for the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. The most important achievement that day was to provide a framework for a lasting peace and a political process to manage relations within Northern Ireland, on the island of Ireland and between Britain and Ireland. I remember too how an economic dividend was keenly anticipated. Although there have been many ups and downs during the past 27 years, Northern Ireland as a whole has derived significant economic benefit from the coming of peace although that has not been felt by all. Those years have also been exceptional ones for the Irish economy which, international disruptions notwithstanding, has recorded consistently-high growth figures. There is, however, still some way to go before we can confidently say that the economic potential of a peaceful Ireland has been fully realised to the benefit of all communities. Enhanced cross-border flows of trade and investment are important aspects of the Agreement's economic dividend. Proximity is a powerful driver of business activity. All over Europe there are active cross-border connections that help create and sustain jobs and prosperity for border communities. In Ireland, cross-border economic ties were once stunted by political and security barriers, but are now flourishing. Trade has grown strongly, rising from €2 billion in 1999 to €15 billion today, and with exciting potential for further growth. North-South trade has flourished in all major industrial sectors as well as in agriculture and services. It is estimated that some 81% of cross-border trade is accounted for by SMEs. In a world bedeviled by uncertainties affecting international trade, nearby markets assume greater importance. This makes it essential that the full potential of North-South trade be realised to the benefit of employment, prosperity and community cohesion across this island. The aim of the North-South Business Cooperation Awards Ireland is to encourage and reward shining examples of cross-border business collaboration. I have been told by InterTrade Ireland that, in the 25 years since its establishment, it has supported more than 60,000 businesses across the island of Ireland which has contributed to the creation of 23,000 jobs. I hope that innovative companies will apply for these new North-South awards and that the collaborations they carry forward will help underpin peace and prosperity in Ireland in the years and decades ahead. Entries are now invited for the North-South Business Cooperation Awards Ireland from companies engaged in cross-border business collaborations or with a customer base in both parts of Ireland. Entry Conditions: Applicants should preferably comprise of a company registered in the Companies Registration Office ( in Ireland and a company registered with Companies House (Belfast) with the registered office being in Northern Ireland. Both companies must be start-ups incorporated in the last five years, 2019 or later. Each company should have an entrepreneur, founder or shareholder who owns at least 50% of the shares. The two entrepreneurs must be working in a joint business activity on the island of Ireland, across any sector of the economy. Each company must have a minimum annual turnover of €200,000 / £160,000 and must employ at least three other staff members, not including the owner. Alternatively, companies can apply on their own (without a second team member) if they can demonstrate significant cross-border economic activity, including a customer base in both markets.
Belfast Telegraph
18-06-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Cross-border entrepreneurs now welcome to apply for €500,000 in prizes at new business awards
The mission of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation is to support as diverse a range of charitable activities, primarily in places where the founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, and his family have lived and worked, which includes Ireland, the UK, Monaco, France, Greece, and Cyprus. Since 2011, Sir Stelios and easyGroup (his for-profit business) have donated to the Stelios Foundation, a UK-registered charity, more than €110 million. These donations have helped to support those who create a business which has both education and cross-community cooperation at its core, as well as promoting innovation, further job creation, and an enduring cooperation between communities. The Foundation is known for supporting both high-impact charities and grassroots initiatives, with a consistent focus on entrepreneurship, education, disability rights, food security, and cross-community peace. Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the easy family of brands - including easyJet and easyHotel, (for more info, see and - has launched several awards for entrepreneurs in these countries. Moreover, easyJet in 1998, then a small private airline owned by Stelios, launched its first flights from Luton airport to Belfast just months after the Good Friday Agreement, making the move one of the first tangible peace dividends. EasyJet now holds a 70% market share at Belfast International Airport. These awards are designed to foster entrepreneurship and to show how entrepreneurs can create and support economic opportunities, mutual engagement, and reciprocal success The latest addition to the philanthropic initiatives supported by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou is the North–South Business Cooperation Awards, which has been created specifically to help celebrate and inspire innovative cross-border entrepreneurship on the island of Ireland. These awards are being organised in conjunction with Co-operation Ireland, an all-island peace-building organisation, which has decades of experience in promoting cross-community and cross-border activities in support of peace and reconciliation. These awards will support Co-operation Ireland's work in building a shared and cohesive society by facilitating contact and collaboration between people from different backgrounds across the island of Ireland. The North–South Business Cooperation Awards draw inspiration from a similar initiative long supported by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation in Cyprus. Since 2009, the Stelios Bi-communal Cyprus Awards have encouraged collaboration between Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot entrepreneurs. The success of this model in Cyprus has demonstrated the power of entrepreneurship in bridging divides and now forms the blueprint for this all-island initiative in Ireland. With a total prize fund of €500,000, this new awards scheme is looking to reward and nurture entrepreneurs who have developed cross-border business. By promoting entrepreneurial start-ups on the island of Ireland, the Awards aim to fuel job creation and deepen economic interaction across communities to the benefit of all. Speaking following the launch of the Awards, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou said: 'These Awards represent more than just recognition - they embody a commitment to building a better, more connected future on the island of Ireland. When businesses from both sides of the border collaborate, they do more than drive economic growth; they build trust, create lasting jobs, and strengthen the social and economic fabric of our communities. 'Just as easyJet brought people together across Europe, these Awards bring businesses together across the island of Ireland - empowering them to grow, hire and contribute to a stronger all-island economy. I look forward to meeting the finalists and recognising their achievements at Castle Leslie in October 2025.' For those who are interested in entering, the application process is open right now, and the deadline for entering is Tuesday 16 September 2025. The total prize fund of €500,000 in cash prizes will be broken down as follows: the overall Gold winning team will receive €150,000, two Silver winning teams will receive €100,000 per team, and six Bronze winning teams will receive €25,000 per team to invest in their businesses. The prizes can be paid in Sterling or Euro at the exchange rate on the date of the awards ceremony. The awards themselves will be given out on Thursday 30 October 2025, when Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou will personally present the awards and meet the finalists. This ceremony will take place within the historic surroundings of the Castle Leslie Estate, just off the banks of Glaslough Lake in County Monaghan. This location, so close to the border, has been specifically chosen in honour of the cross-community partnership at the core of this new award. More specific details on the criteria and additional requirements for prospective entrants of the inaugural North–South Business Cooperation Awards Ireland, can be found here: Eligibility criteria – Each company must be: Each team should preferably comprise of a company registered in the Companies Registration Office ( in Ireland and a company registered with Companies House (Belfast) with the registered office being in Northern Ireland. Both companies must be start-ups incorporated in the last five years, 2019 or later. Each company should have an entrepreneur, founder, or shareholder who owns at least 50% of the shares. The two entrepreneurs must be working in a joint business activity on the island of Ireland, across any sector of the economy. Each company must have a minimum annual turnover of €200,000 / £160,000 and must employ at least three other staff members, not including the owner. Alternatively, companies can apply on their own (without a second team member) if they can demonstrate significant cross-border economic activity, including a customer base in both markets. Other requirements: Only applications completed on the official form in typed format will be accepted. Handwritten applications will not be accepted. Attendance at the Awards Ceremony is required for winners. The winners will be announced by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou at a ceremony at the historic Castle Leslie to be followed by a luncheon on Thursday 30 October 2025. Applicants will be asked about their interest in potentially joining the 'easy' family of brands Judging decisions are made by Sir Stelios and are final
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
easyGym Enters Indian Fitness Market with ₹250 Cr Investment Plan to Launch 100 Gyms in 5 Years
Global fitness brand easyGym, part of the easy® family of brands founded by Sir Stelios (which includes easyJet, easyHotel, and more), has begun operations in the Indian market with the opening of its first outlet at Tagore Park, Model Town Phase 1, Delhi. Supported by a ₹250 crore investment, the company intends to establish 100 gyms across India over the next five years. In collaboration with FranGlobal, the international arm of Franchise India, easyGym aims to make fitness more accessible, inclusive, and affordable across the country. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Nicolas Gérard, President of easyGym, shared perspectives on the brand's entry into India, its offerings, and future plans. Q: Why India, and how does it fit into easyGym's global growth strategy?India presents a dynamic and evolving fitness market. With a young population, increasing health awareness, and rising disposable incomes, there is a growing demand for fitness services. Our decision to enter India is about business expansion and contributing to a movement towards healthier lifestyles by providing accessible and affordable fitness solutions tailored to the diverse needs of Indian consumers. Q: What is the franchise fee structure, and how will easyGym achieve its ₹250 crore, 100-gym expansion plan in India? The franchise fee structure for easyGym is designed to be accessible, with fees varying based on location and market potential. Franchisees make an initial investment that includes the franchise fee and receive support across training, branding, technology, and operations. This forms part of a business model that aims for a strong ROI, supported by easyGym's affordable pricing and scalable model. A key aspect in India is the Franchise Owned, Franchise Operated (FOFO) approach, which enables local entrepreneurs to run their own gyms while utilising easyGym's global experience and support. As part of its ₹250 crore investment plan, easyGym—through its collaboration with FranGlobal—plans to roll out 100 gyms across India over the next five years. Its membership plans, including pay-as-you-go options, and programmes like PACK45 (a 45-minute group training session), are designed to suit the evolving needs of Indian fitness consumers. Q: How important is the FranGlobal partnership for your India expansion and catering to Indian preferences? The partnership with FranGlobal is important for our India expansion. Their understanding of the Indian market—along with their experience in scaling international brands—helps us cater to the preferences of Indian consumers. FranGlobal provides local insights into consumer behaviour, cultural nuances, and market dynamics, which are valuable as we adapt our offerings. With their support, we aim to adjust our services to ensure a relevant fitness experience for Indian members. This collaboration is a key part of our strategy, enabling easyGym to expand and build a community-focused brand that meets the needs of Indian fitness enthusiasts. Q: Will the global leadership team be actively involved in the Indian operations post-launch? Yes. India is a significant area for easyGym, and our involvement will continue beyond the launch phase. I, along with members of our global leadership team, will remain engaged in supporting the Indian operations. Our goal is to build a sustainable presence in the country through ongoing collaboration with local partners. A key aspect of easyGym's approach is its focus on affordability, innovation, and inclusivity. Our 'Smart Rate' pricing model offers membership plans that align with various lifestyles and budgets. The no-contract approach aims to provide members with the flexibility to manage their fitness journey. At easyGym, we are focused on delivering value for money. This involves offering services, equipment, and personal training at a competitive price point. Our value proposition is about providing quality at a good price. Q: What's your message to Indian entrepreneurs eyeing the easyGym franchise? This is an opportunity to be part of India's growing fitness industry. With easyGym, entrepreneurs can align with a globally recognised group of brands. EasyGym is part of the easy® family, founded by Sir Stelios, known for brands like easyJet and easyHotel. This affiliation offers franchisees a business model, support, and a mission-driven approach. If you're interested in fitness and entrepreneurship, we encourage you to join us in contributing to the health and well-being of communities across India. Note to the Reader: This article is part of Hindustan Times' paid consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. Hindustan Times assumes no editorial responsibility for the content, including its accuracy, completeness, or any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify all information independently.
