You would think that EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou would have been miffed when he discovered a VAR with the name “Easy” in the title in Portsmouth.
Easy Networks was founded in 1995 by Richard Gwilliam who admitted that when he was invited for a chat with Sir Stelios he thought he was going to be grilled about intellectual property and use of the brand name.
“However, after some discussion, we realised we both had the same business values and Sir Stelios invited us to join his ‘easy’ family of brands. I went into a meeting prepared for some tough negotiations and walked out with a new business partner!”
The airline founder is now a minority shareholder in Easy Networks and will open a London office in May as part of a renewed growth strategy. And the company is using the easyGroup Orange branding.
For an experienced and successful entrepreneur like Sir Stelios to recognise what we have achieved over the last 24 years and our potential for the future, and to make a personal investment in the business, is a huge compliment, said Gwilliam.
EasyJet founder Haji-Ioannou stated: “We are very pleased to welcome easyNetworks into our easy family of brands.
“This is our first venture in an exciting business sector that offers excellent future growth opportunities. Richard and his team bring something new and exciting to the brand and have already impressed colleagues and associates with their enthusiasm and synergistic plans for the future.”
