John Caudwell

John Caudwell, a distinguished entrepreneur and philanthropist, sold Phones 4U for £1.5bn in 2006. Now, he primarily focuses on philanthropy through his charities: Caudwell Children, Caudwell Youth, and Caudwell Lyme Co. Known for his rags-to-riches story, John is a sought-after speaker on business and politics.

From an early age, John demonstrated a knack for entrepreneurship, engaging in various ventures before joining Michelin as an apprentice in 1972 and eventually becoming an Engineering Shift Manager. His entrepreneurial journey took a significant turn when he started a mobile phone dealership, overcoming initial losses to establish the UK's largest independent mobile phone distributor by 1991. Phones 4U became one of the UK's fastest-growing companies, achieving a £1 billion turnover by 2000 and selling 26 phones per minute when he sold the business.

Committed to giving back, John pledged to donate 70% of his £2.4 billion fortune to charity, focusing on disabled children and underfunded illnesses. He received the Noble Gift Philanthropreneur Award in 2012 for his efforts. John's autobiography, "Love, Pain and Money," details his journey from adversity to success, including his experiences of bullying and purchasing London’s most expensive home.