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Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
EasyJet founder backs cross-border business awards
The inaugural North–South Business Cooperation Awards aim to celebrate and support cross-border entrepreneurship and encourage start-ups on the island of Ireland. A total prize fund of €500,000 will be awarded to 18 entrepreneurs, across 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. The winner of the largest Gold Award will receive €150,000. The awards are backed by Mr Haji-Ioannou, creator and owner of the 'easy' family of brands, and the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation. The new awards are inspired by similar cross-border business awards run by the Stelios Foundation in Cyprus, birthplace of Stelios Haji-Ioannou's parents, for the last 16 years. The awards in Cyprus reward Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot entrepreneurs who are engaged in joint business on the island. Speaking following the launch of the new Irish awards, Mr Haji-Ioannou said 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. We are working for lasting peace and economic prosperity on the island of Ireland,' he said. The awards process will culminate in a ceremony at Castle Leslie Estate, Co Monaghan on October 30. Ian Jeffers, chief executive of Co-operation Ireland, which is partnering on the initiative, said cross-border business partnerships can play a powerful role in promoting peace, prosperity and shared understanding. 'These awards recognise that co-operation is not just a shared ideal – it's a powerful driver of real economic progress,' he said. The awards are open to joint applications from a business in the Republic along with a partner in Northern Ireland that are engaged with each other in cross-border trade, or single entrants based in either jurisdiction. Eligible companies must be start-ups incorporated in the last five years, 2019 or later, with an entrepreneur, founder or shareholder who owns at least 50pc of the shares. Each company must have a minimum annual turnover of €200,000 (£160,000) and employ at least three other staff members, not including the owner.
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- 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
Perth Now
7 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
‘We need your help': Beloved Freo bar struggling to survive
The new owners of Mojo's Bar have made a public appeal for funding to help bring their transformative vision of the North Fremantle institution to life. Last year, local architect Michael Benson, musician and venue manager Tony Papa-Adams and DJ Paul Malone purchased the 190-capacity venue from Triple-1-Three, which operates Otherside Brewing Co. and the Freo Social. Triple-1-Three took over Mojo's, a breeding ground for top WA artists such as Tame Impala, John Butler and Stella Donnelly, in 2021. Your local paper, whenever you want it. The extensive renovations planned by the new owners were expected to begin early this year but have been put on hold due to financial 'struggles'. Mr Papa-Adams created a GoFundMe on Monday in an attempt to raise $16,000 for new bar furniture, 16 new beer taps, upgraded sound and lighting equipment and a new kitchen where they plan to serve 'family-style Greek-Cypriot food'. Renders of the new-look Mojo's Bar in North Fremantle. Credit: Benson Studio 'We need your help,' Mr Papa-Adams wrote. 'Not just to survive, but to grow into something even stronger that can sustain itself for future generations of music lovers. 'Live music venues everywhere are struggling. Rising costs, from rent and insurance to production and staffing, are threatening even the most beloved spots. 'These aren't just renovations. They're the foundations of a new business model one that makes Mojos more resilient, more welcoming, and more capable of supporting live music for generations to come.' Renders of the new-look Mojo's Bar in North Fremantle. Credit: Benson Studio The new owners also plan to put a roof over the beer garden, which will feature a small bar and sound system for patrons who are not attending a performance in the front room. When performers are not using it, the green room will become a vinyl record store. The venue has been an important incubator of local musical talent and the owners said the new-look Mojo's will continue to support up-and-coming bands. Renders of the new-look Mojo's Bar in North Fremantle. Credit: Benson Studio 'We're not just a venue,' Mr Papa-Adams said. 'We're a launchpad for emerging artists, a sanctuary for local musicians, and a gathering place for creatives, music lovers, and community, and a special part of North Freo's soul. 'If you've ever discovered your new favourite band or had a night you'll never forget on our wooden floors, you probably know how invaluable Mojos is to the community.'
Straits Times
06-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Fugitive ponzi scheme boss assumed dead may be alive, London police say
Anthony Constantinou stole at least £70 million (S$122 million) from investors he lured with the promise of risk free returns. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: UNSPLASH LONDON – The fugitive boss of a bogus London FX firm convicted as the mastermind behind a Ponzi-style investment scheme was thought to have died in Mexico while on the run, but London police are not so sure. Anthony Constantinou stole at least £70 million (S$122 million) from investors he lured with the promise of risk free returns, and was sentenced to 14 years in prison in his absence. News outlets including UK tabloid The Sun and Miami-based website OffshoreAlert reported that Constantinou died of a heart attack in July 2024 while in Guadalajara, Mexico. A death certificate has been filed in Mexico and seen by the City of London Police, but investigators remain unconvinced that Constantinou has actually died, according to lawyers at a court hearing on June 5. They have evidence of Constantinou's cremation within 24 hours of his death, but some of the documents reviewed contain inaccuracies, including that Constantinou's mother was Mexican. He is known to be of Greek-Cypriot heritage. 'There remains an active search for his whereabouts,' prosecution lawyer David Durose said in court. 'If there were more legitimate grounds to believe that the defendant may have died the Crown would be looking more carefully at it.' Constantinou had no legal representation at the hearing. The police want to recover some of the investor cash that was lost in the scheme and asked the judge to make an order that would help them seize assets. So far recoveries have been minimal, despite Constantinou enjoying a lavish lifestyle, with money being traced through a number of offshore jurisdictions. Constantinou was sentenced in his absence after he disappeared weeks into his trial in 2023. A warrant for his arrest was issued shortly after. Weeks after he disappeared, he was arrested in Bulgaria for carrying fake identification documents, but for unknown reasons, he was let go. His firm, CWM, lured in victims with false promises of generous returns on risk-free foreign exchange market transactions and lavish perks. Operating out of an office in the City of London's Heron Tower, he enticed investors from late 2013 by boasting of generous returns on allegedly risk-free foreign exchange market transactions, for a minimum investment of £100,000. Client funds were also used to boost Constantinou's lifestyle including his £2.5 million wedding in Santorini, the court heard. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Peter Andre reveals 'challenge' of working on controversial film Jafaican
Peter Andre has spoken about one of the 'challenges' filming controversial film Jafaican. The film has received heavy criticism since the trailer dropped last month, as singer-turned-actor Andre — who was born in England, raised in Australia and is of Greek-Cypriot descent — was shown playing a Jamaican gangster wearing fake dreadlocks and speaking with a dodgy Jamaican accent. But now, Andre, 52, has opened up more about working on the project, which was recently released in cinemas. 'I think that with the Jamaican side of it, the Patois parts were dubbed over by a Jamaican actor but instead of me miming over the Patois, I had to learn all the [words] that were delivered on screen,' he told the Daily Star. 'They dubbed over me, so that was a real challenge but it was one that I absolutely loved doing.' In the film, Andre plays two characters - as he is also Denton 'Kill Man' Powell. 'Playing Denton I found really a great challenge, I absolutely loved that character,' he added. 'I loved the seriousness of him, the tone changes and it was a brilliant part to play.' Recently, Jafaican's director Fredi Nwaka addressed some of the backlash, in a filmed Q&A shown after some screenings of the film. Asked about the criticism of the trailer, including accusations of cultural appropriation, Nwaka said: 'Do you know what, we live in a world that is so serious right now. 'People are getting sick and dying. This is really serious and I feel like I just want people to leave with laughter, leave with love and this feeling they had back in the day that you could live, laugh and almost take the p*ss out of yourself. 'It's a comedy. Comedies are supposed to make you smile, they are supposed to make you laugh, they're supposed to make you feel good and when you go home, it's a bit of relief from everyday stuff.' Suggesting he viewed the project as a love letter to Jamaica — where part of the film was shot — Nwaka, 53, added: 'Also, another thing is, go to Jamaica. It's an amazing country, man. If you haven't been, go to Jamaica — you'll love it.' Jafaican had its official debut at the Gold Coast Film Festival in Queensland, Australia earlier this month. In an interview with Channel 7 ahead of it, Andre - who deleted his original social media post featuring the trailer following the furore - was asked: 'The trailer did see some headlines about an English-born Australian-raised actor playing a Jamaican character, you know about that. Are you surprised there's been some mixed feedback here or were you anticipating that?' Andre replied: 'Well, to be fair, I mean, I think it's good to get all sorts of feedback. I mean, this is not … it's my first lead role but I've done quite a few roles before. And all of them, I've played different characters.' The Mysterious Girl hit-maker continued: 'So for me, it's acting – I get to do something light-hearted, something funny. Something that y'know is the kind of film I'd wanna watch. So it's almost like a little bit self-indulgent in the sense that I get to do something that I've really, really wanted to do.'
