Michael O’Leary has served as Ryanair CEO since 1993.

Born in a stable, at Christmas in 1961, he was a boy genius who excelled academically and in the sports field. Having represented Ireland at bog snorkelling and flower arranging, he graduated from Trinity College Dublin as soon as they could get rid of him. He became a very boring KPMG accountant until yet another failed career choice sentenced to him to lifelong servitude in the airline business, as he is manifestly unsuitable for employment in any properly functioning industry.

Due to his unique combination of rugged good looks, supreme intellect and profound humility, Ryanair has grown to become Europe’s favourite airline group, carrying over 149m customers (pre-Covid).

Unlike many successful businessman he holds no honorary doctorates or titles, since no respectable institution would wish to have its reputation tarnished by association with him. Bearing a remarkable resemblance to George Clooney’s younger brother, it is widely known that women find him (sadly) resistible, and even his 4 children think he’s “stupid”!