• ■ Tan Sri Tony Fernandes wins the Asia House Asian Business Leaders Award 2017
• ■ Award issued annually by Asia House, the London-based Centre of Expertise on Asia, to recognise outstanding contribution to Asian business and society
• ■ Tan Sri Tony Fernandes honoured for AirAsia success and his ‘championing' of ASEAN
• ■ Will receive award at prestigious event in Hong Kong on 27 November following Asia House's signature conference on Asian trade.

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, the founder and Group CEO of AirAsia, is to be honoured with a major business award in recognition of his contribution to Asia's economic landscape.

Fernandes, known to millions as the face of the Malaysian ‘Apprentice Asia' TV show, is to receive the Asia House Asian Business Leaders Award for 2017 at a gala event in Hong Kong on 27 November.

The prestigious award, issued annually by Asia House, the London-based Centre of Expertise on Asia, celebrates business leaders who have driven positive economic and social change in the region.

Previous winners include Hiroaki Nakanishi, Chairman, Hitachi; Ho Ching, CEO, Temasek; Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Group; and Nazir Razak, Chairman, CIMB Group.

Under Tan Sri Tony Fernandes's leadership, AirAsia has grown to become the region's leading low-cost airline, transforming the Asian aviation industry and making it possible for millions of people to access air travel.

He has also served as a champion of ASEAN and a powerful advocate of ASEAN economic integration.

Lord Green, Chairman of Asia House, said, "As a leading Centre of Expertise on Asian business and trade, it is important for Asia House to recognise those people making a positive contribution to the Asian economic landscape.

"Alongside his business achievements, Tony has been a tireless advocate of ASEAN - an ethos which we share at Asia House. As ASEAN celebrates its 50th anniversary, we thought it was a particularly pertinent time to recognise Tony with this award."

In response to winning the award, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said, "It is an honour to be recognised for championing Asean. I am an Aseanist. I believe the future of Asia Pacific lies as much with Asean as it does with China or India - it's hard to ignore 620 million people.

"However, the promise of Asean lies in its unity, in cooperation, tearing down barriers, integration. In that sense, we still have some way to go but I am confident we will get there, and I am very glad to see Asia House join us on that journey."

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes will receive the prestigious award at a gala dinner in Hong Kong on 27 November, following Asia House's signature conference, ‘Asia Trade in the New Global Order'.

The conference will host keynote speeches from Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Le Luong Minh, Secretary General of ASEAN.