Polys Haji-Ioannou
Polys Haji-Ioannou is a Cypriot billionaire businessman, known for his shipping company Polyar Tankers and as a significant shareholder in the airline EasyJet, which was founded by his brother Stelios Haji-Ioannou.
Early life
Haji-Ioannou was born in Cyprus to shipping magnate Loucas Haji-Ioannou, who built up a large shipping fleet beginning in the 1950s. His siblings include Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the founder of EasyJet, and Clelia Haji-Ioannou.
Career
Polyar Tankers
Haji-Ioannou is the founder and owner of Polyar Tankers, a shipping company established in the early 1990s. The company has managed a fleet of around 20 oil tanker vessels.
EasyJet shareholding
Haji-Ioannou holds a significant stake in EasyJet, which was founded in 1995 by his brother Stelios. His stake in the company forms a large part of his personal fortune. In 2013, he and his siblings sold a portion of their shares to protest EasyJet's expansion strategy.
Safe Bulkers
Haji-Ioannou serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the dry bulk shipping company Safe Bulkers Inc., a position he has held since its 2008 listing on the New York Stock Exchange. He is also the largest individual shareholder, holding approximately 27–28% of the company's outstanding shares, making Safe Bulkers effectively under his control.
Net worth
As of 2023, Haji-Ioannou’s net worth was estimated at around US$1.1 billion, according to Forbes. Other financial media, such as GoodReturns, have reported similar figures of US$1.2 billion.
Personal life
In 2001, Haji-Ioannou married Rosemarie Zoudrou; they have two children and reside in Monaco.