Britain's Top 100 Entrepreneurs 2014: No. 31 - Philip Meeson, Dart Group
The aviation entrepreneur is worth £135m.
An ex-RAF pilot, Philip Meeson is now making his fortune running his own airline. Jet2.com runs services from Leeds-Bradford airport. Meeson moved into the aviation world in 1983 when he bought a small flower distributor. Called Channel Express, it distributed 95% of the Channel Islands' flowers. In 1988 it was floated on the stock market. Later renamed Dart Group, it started the Jet2.com airline in 2002.
Age: 67
Activity: Aviation
Wealth: £135m
Latest turnover: £1,120m
Five-year rise in turnover: 158%
No. of employees: 4,471
Five-year rise in employment: 63%
Score: 127
