Britain's Top 100 Entrepreneurs 2014: No. 31 - Philip Meeson, Dart Group

The aviation entrepreneur is worth £135m.

by Philip Beresford

Published: 26 Oct 2014

Last Updated: 24 Oct 2014

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

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