Heroes & villains of 2017

It’s been another jam-packed year in the world of business. But who covered themselves in glory and who should hang their heads in shame? Here we list our heroes and villains...

CAROLYN MCCALL

EasyJet boss McCall headed for the departure lounge after seven years in charge to run ITV.

Profits slumped this year but high flier McCall had overseen a 250% surge in the airline’s share price since 2010.

She takes over at ITV amid turbulence in the broadcasting world.

Time will tell if she can navigate the jungle and be crowned one of our business queens – or at least heroes – next year.

MICHAEL O’LEARY

Even Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary admits he’s a “clown”.

But it was no laughing matter for hundreds of thousands of passengers whose travel plans were thrown into chaos by the airline’s cancelled flights fiasco.

Ryanair was slammed for its handling of the blunder, and its share price plunged.

But race horse owner O’Leary is odds on to keep his job.

MARGRETHE VESTAGER

The EU’s Competition Commissioner is a one-woman whirlwind – taking on the might of US corporate giants Apple, Amazon and Google over their tax affairs.

The tough-talking Dane has accused the multinationals, and others, of using cosy deals with countries including Ireland and Luxembourg to lower their tax bills.

The companies – and the countries – have dug their heels in. But no-nonense Vestager isn’t a woman who gives up.