EasyJet boss Caroyln McCall has been awarded a top business award.
McCall, chief executive of the low-cost airline, was named business leader of the year at the National Business Awards.
Kai Peters, chief academic officer of Ashridge and Hult International Business School, which sponsors the award, said: "The achievements of Carolyn in the five years she has been at easyJet have been outstanding.
"She arrived amidst managerial and financial challenges and has impressively grown the airline through dedication, hard work and a sense of fun.
"Amazingly, she has achieved all of this from a standing start as an outsider to the aviation industry."
Around 1,200 business leaders and politicians attended the awards event at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
Opening the ceremony, prime minister David Cameron said: "These awards recognise people who have the guts to strike out on their own, who have the tenacity to work hard for every deal and who have the innovation and vision that lets you grow your business and take new people on."
