Tony Fernandes

Tony Fernandes
Tony Fernandes at an Air Asia event
Born	(1964-04-30) 30 April 1964 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Occupation	Group Chief Executive Officer Director of AirAsia Berhad and founder of Tune Group Sdn Bhd Chairman of Queens Park Rangers Founder and former Team Principal of Caterham F1
Net worth	US$ 625 million (2013) [1]

Tan Sri Anthony Francis "Tony" Fernandes, CBE (born 30 April 1964) is a Malaysian-British entrepreneur. He is the founder of Tune Air Sdn. Bhd., who introduced the first budget no-frills airline, AirAsia, to Malaysians with the tagline "Now everyone can fly". Fernandes managed to turn AirAsia, a failing government-linked commercial airline, into a highly successful budget airline public-listed company. He has since founded the Tune Group of companies.

He was also instrumental in lobbying the then-Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad in mid-2003, to propose the idea of open skies agreements with neighbouring Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore. As a result, these nations have granted landing rights to AirAsia and other discount carriers.

As of February 2013, Forbes Asia valued Fernandes' net worth at $625 million, ranking him at number 21 on the Forbes list of Malaysia's Richest.

Early years

Fernandes was born in Kuala Lumpur to an Indian father (a physician, originally from Goa) and Portuguese-Eurasian mother, Ena Dorothy Fernandes of Malacca, Malaysia.^[2][3] At a young age, he used to follow his mother, a businesswoman, to Tupperware dealer parties and conventions. He was educated at The Alice Smith School in Kuala Lumpur, Epsom College from 1977 to 1983, and then at the London School of Economics. He worked very briefly with Virgin Atlantic as an auditor, subsequently becoming the financial controller for Richard Branson's Virgin Records in London from 1987 to 1989.^[4]

Tony was admitted as Associate Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in 1991 and became Fellow Member in 1996. He is currently a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Upon his return to Malaysia, he became the youngest managing director of Warner Music (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. As well as being an accountant, Fernandes is an amateur guitarist and also has achieved grade 8 piano.^{[citation needed]}

He subsequently became the South East Asian regional vice-president for Warner Music Group from 1992-2001. When Time Warner Inc announced its merger with America Online Inc., Fernandes left to pursue his dream of starting a budget no-frills airline. However, his application for a license from the Malaysian government was rejected. ^{[citation needed]}

AirAsia

It was through Datuk Pahamin A. Rejab, the former secretary-general of the Malaysian Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry that Fernandes came to meet with then Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad in October 2001.

Instead of starting from scratch, Mahathir advised Fernandes to buy an existing airline instead. AirAsia, the heavily indebted subsidiary of the Malaysian government-owned conglomerate, DRB-Hicom, was quickly losing money. Fernandes mortgaged his home and used his personal savings to acquire the company, comprising two ageing Boeing 737-300 jets (9M-AAA and 9M-AAB) and US$11 million (RM40 million) worth of debts, for one ringgit (about 26 US cents), and transformed it into an industry player. One year after his takeover, AirAsia had broken even and cleared all its debts. Its initial public offering (IPO) in November 2004 was oversubscribed by 130 per cent.^{[citation needed]}

Fernandes says his timing was in fact perfect: after 11 September 2001, aircraft leasing costs fell 40%. Also, airline lay-offs meant experienced staff were readily available. He believed Malaysian travellers would embrace a cut-rate air service that would save them time and money, especially in a tight economy. That was why he copied one of the world's most successful no-frills carriers, Ireland's Ryanair (which is in turn modelled after Southwest Airlines in the United States). Fernandes estimates about 50 per cent of the travellers on Asia’s budget airlines are first-time flyers. Before AirAsia, he estimated that only six per cent of Malaysians had ever travelled in a plane.

Other ventures

In 2007, Fernandes started a hotel chain, Tune Hotels, based on the no-frills concept. The first Tune Hotel was opened in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.^{[citation needed]}

As of 2009, Fernandes is also the president of the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).^{[citation needed]}

As of 2013, Fernandes is also involved in a reality TV series: The Apprentice Asia is an Asian reality game show in which a group of aspiring young businessmen and women compete for the chance to work with Fernandes, who also serves as the host of the show.

In March 2012, Tony Fernandes Served on the International Advisory Board of Global March to Jerusalem, which aims to "mobilize the international community in solidarity with Palestinians and to protect Jerusalem."^[5] A Joint Statement was issued, signed by the various members of the Board, including Fernandes.^[6]

Caterham Group

Fernandes is the founder of the Caterham F1 Formula One team, which began racing in 2010 as Lotus Racing and raced in 2011 as Team Lotus.

On 16 December 2009, Fernandes accepted a "challenge" from Richard Branson, a fellow airline boss and the owner of Lotus' fellow F1 newcomers Virgin Racing. The losing team's boss would work on the winner's airline for a day dressed as a stewardess. Fernandes joked "The sexier the better. Our passengers will be delighted to be served by a Knight of the Realm, but knowing Richard, the real challenge will be to prevent him from asking our guests 'coffee, tea or me?' That would be scary."^[7] In addition, the team produced a poster depicting Branson in an Air Asia uniform. However, the date of the flight was delayed several times: first because of Branson breaking his leg, then because of the royal wedding, finally because of a fire at the Necker Island. On 19 December 2012, Fernandes announced that Branson would honour his bet in May 2013. Branson ultimately honored the bet on 13 May 2013.^[8]

Caterham Racing, also created by Fernandes, competes in the GP2 Series.

On 27 April 2011, Fernandes announced that his company had purchased Caterham Cars.

EQ8 is a natural energy drink and the first FMCG product from Fernandes and his business partner Kamarudin Meranun. EQ8 is also the Official Drink of Caterham F1.^{[citation needed]}

Football

Fernandes is a fan of English club West Ham United and was involved in talks regarding a potential takeover of the club back in May 2011, at which stage it looked as if he was going to acquire a 51 per cent stake in the club. Former West Ham chairman Andrew Bernhardt even flew to Kuala Lumpur to try and finalise the deal, but the two parties failed to agree on the price.^[9] It was just one month later when Fernandes made another offer to buy 51 per cent of the club, although co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold rejected his bid. Sullivan told the London Evening Standard: "He wanted 51% of the club for two bob." Sullivan's comments started a war of words on Twitter. "It was a good offer with good money and brought in good people," said Fernandes. "Gold and Sullivan can say whatever they want. I have been a lifelong fan and would have brought good money, good ideas, new people and a new belief. As for PR stunts. Wow. They are always in the press making huge claims. Were we not supposed to be in Europe. Now we have been relegated. Two sacked managers. All good players will be sold. No new training ground which is the most important ingredient I feel. Look at how many injuries we have. And more investment into the academy."^[10]

Tony Fernandes' seat at Loftus Road

On 18 August 2011, just three months after Queens Park Rangers' promotion back to the Premier League following a 15-year absence, Fernandes was unveiled as their majority shareholder, having bought Bernie Ecclestone's 66% stake. He was also named as chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd.^[11]

While Neil Warnock remained as the club's manager for their return to the top-flight, a run of eight Premier League games without a win eventually led to his sacking.^[12] Mark Hughes was quickly named as his replacement, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal in the process.^[13] Despite their new manager, QPR's poor run of form continued, which left them fighting for Premier League survival on the final day of the 2011-2012 season. Relegation rivals Bolton Wanderers needed a win to have any chance of survival, but could only muster a draw with Stoke City,^[14] meaning QPR were safe, despite losing 3-2 to Manchester City after Sergio Agüero's injury-time winner - a goal which stole the Premier League title from arch-rivals Manchester United on goal difference.^[15]

Mark Hughes led the club into the 2012-2013 season, but after just four points from 12 games and without a single win - one of the worst starts in Premier League history - Fernandes gave Hughes his marching orders.^[16][17] Fernandes hired former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp on 24 November 2012,^[18][19] but even he was unable to solve QPR's problems. Following a goalless draw with relegation rivals Reading on 28 April 2013, both teams were relegated to the Championship.^[20]

Speaking to the media just one week after Rangers' relegation back to the Championship, Fernandes said he had been exploited since he took over at Loftus Road. After investing an estimated £50 million into the club, he said: "I don't think I will be exploited any more. I think I allowed myself to be exploited but that's my choice. Agents are trying to get the best contracts and there are no two ways about it, I had to pay premiums. I've seen all of the parts that make football quite - maybe immoral is a strong word - but they would sell their grandmother to do something. It's all part of the football ecosystem."^[21]

Below is a list of QPR's signings since Fernandes' takeover, with buys on the left and loan deals on the right. Players highlighted green are still contracted to the club, with those in red currently out on loan. Players highlighted yellow signed permanently after their loan spell. Although the buy table includes a previous club column, some players were free agents at the time of signing. This column also refers to the clubs the players were permanently contracted to before joining QPR, as many of them were out on loan before joining the club.

Date Player Previous Club Transfer Fee Source 26 August 2011 Joey Barton Newcastle United Free [22] 27 August 2011 Luke Young Aston Villa Undisclosed [23] 30 August 2011 Armand Traoré Arsenal Undisclosed [24] 31 August 2011 Shaun Wright-Phillips Manchester City Undisclosed [25] 31 August 2011 Anton Ferdinand Sunderland Undisclosed [26] 26 January 2012 Nedum Onuoha Manchester City Undisclosed [27] 31 January 2012 Djibril Cissé Lazio £4m [28] 31 January 2012 Bobby Zamora Fulham £4m [29] 1 July 2012 Ryan Nelsen Tottenham Hotspur Free [30] 1 July 2012 Andy Johnson Fulham Free [30] 1 July 2012 Robert Green West Ham United Free [31] 1 July 2012 Samba Diakité Nancy £3.5m [32] 9 July 2012 Park Ji-Sung Manchester United £2m [33] 27 July 2012 Junior Hoilett Blackburn Rovers Free [34] 17 August 2012 José Bosingwa Chelsea Free [35] 29 August 2012 Júlio César Inter Milan Undisclosed [36] 30 August 2012 Esteban Granero Real Madrid Undisclosed [37] 31 August 2012 Sam Magri Portsmouth Free [38] 31 August 2012 Stéphane Mbia Marseille Undisclosed [38] 4 January 2013 Tal Ben Haim Portsmouth Undisclosed [39] 16 January 2013 Loïc Rémy Marseille £8m [40] 30 January 2013 Yun Suk-Young Chunnam Dragons Undisclosed [41] 31 January 2013 Christopher Samba Anzhi Makhachkala £12.5m [42] 31 January 2013 Jermaine Jenas Tottenham Hotspur Undisclosed [43] 1 July 2013 Danny Simpson Newcastle United Free [44] 15 July 2013 Richard Dunne Aston Villa Free [45] 23 July 2013 Karl Henry Wolverhampton Wanderers Undisclosed [46] 1 August 2013 Charlie Austin Burnley Undisclosed [47] 7 August 2013 Gary O'Neil West Ham United Free [48] 23 August 2013 Matt Phillips Blackpool Undisclosed [49] 25 September 2013 Javier Chevantón Leece Undisclosed [50] 23 October 2013 Oguchi Onyewu Sporting Lisbon Undisclosed [51] 10 December 2013 Yossi Benayoun Chelsea Free [52] 27 January 2014 Coll Donaldson Livingston Undisclosed [53] 31 January 2014 Aaron Hughes Fulham Free [54]

Date Player Loaned From Expired/Expires Source 1 September 2011 Jason Puncheon Southampton 2 January 2012 [55] 2 January 2012 Federico Macheda Manchester United 13 May 2012 [56] 24 January 2012 Taye Taiwo A.C. Milan 13 May 2012 [57] 30 January 2012 Samba Diakité Nancy 13 May 2012 [58] 2 July 2012 Fábio Manchester United 1 July 2013 [59] 31 January 2013 Andros Townsend Tottenham Hotspur 31 May 2013 [43] 2 September 2013 Niko Kranjčar Dynamo Kyiv 31 May 2014 [60] 2 September 2013 Benoît Assou-Ekotto Tottenham Hotspur 31 May 2014 [60] 2 September 2013 Tom Carroll Tottenham Hotspur 31 May 2014 [60] 31 January 2014 Guilherme Dellatorre Desportivo Brasil 31 May 2014 [54] 31 January 2014 Kevin Doyle Wolverhampton Wanderers 31 May 2014 [61]

Achievements and awards

Fernandes' biggest achievement has been to turn the AirAsia airline into an international carrier. Before the creation of AirAsia, countries in the region did not have open-skies agreements. In mid-2003, Fernandes' lobbying pushed Dr Mahathir to raise the idea with the leaders of neighbouring Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore. As a result, those nations have granted landing rights to AirAsia and other discount carriers. Fernandes opened up the budget carrier sector in the region.

In Thailand and Indonesia, AirAsia holds a minority stake in the respective local companies. Thai AirAsia, a joint venture with Shin Corporation, Thailand’s largest telecommunication conglomerate, took to the skies in Feb 2004 and has to date carried over 1 million passengers in its first year of operations. PT Awair, re-launched as a low fare airline on 8 December 2004 and subsequently renamed Indonesia AirAsia, presently serves 5 domestic destinations in Indonesia.

Fernandes has received several awards for his achievements:

• International Herald Tribune Award for the "Visionaries & Leadership Series", for his outstanding work in AirAsia;
• "Malaysian CEO of the Year 2003" in December 2003; so far awarded to only nine other recipients in the country, by American Express and Business Times. The award was an initiative to recognize entrepreneurial and managerial expertise and performance among leaders of Malaysian corporations.
• Named the joint winner of the CEO of the Year 2003 award by American Express Corporate Services and Business Times.
• "Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year" in the Ernst & Young "Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards" in 2003;
• Made the list of Business Week's "25 Stars of Asia" in 2005.
• Malaysian Ernst & Young "Entrepreneur of the Year 2006"

• "Excellence In Leadership - Asia Pacific Leadership Awards 2009"

• 2010 Forbes Asia businessman of the year^[62]
• 2011 No. 52, in FastCompany Top 100 Most Creative People in Business.^[63]

Fernandes has also been honoured by the King of Malaysia with the title Tan Sri, Dato' Sri and also by the government of France with the Legion d'Honneur Order.^[64] In 2011, according to a Team Lotus press release, Tony Fernandes was awarded a CBE or Commander of the Order of the British Empire "for services to promote commercial and educational links" between Malaysia and the UK.^[65]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tony Fernandes.

• BusinessWeek Online
• Profile - Tony Fernandes of AirAsia
• Malaysia's 40 Richest
• Forbes.com - Tony Fernandes

v t e Caterham F1 Team Founder Tony Fernandes Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul Personnel Riad Asmat Mike Gascoyne Mark Smith Race drivers 9. Marcus Ericsson 10. Kamui Kobayashi Test drivers Robin Frijns Alexander Rossi Former drivers Heikki Kovalainen Vitaly Petrov Charles Pic Giedo van der Garde Formula One cars CT01 CT03 CT05 Related Caterham Group EQ8 Caterham Racing