John Caudwell
John Caudwell
John David Caudwellis an English businessman, philanthropist and co-founder of mobile phone retailer Phones 4u. He also invests in fashion, real estate and other industries, and chairs Caudwell Children, a charity which benefits ill or disabled children and their families. He is also known for being the UK's biggest taxpayer...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionBusinessman
Date of Birth7 October 1952
business came early feeling impact last mobile phone quite took
When I came into the mobile phone business, I was really the upstart who pretty much took the business, not quite by storm, but really made an impact on it quite early on. But it was from a position, really, of feeling that I was a last mover.
bring happiness health money
The only really important thing, at the end of the day, is your health. If you haven't got that, then all the money in the world isn't going to bring you happiness.
bet failure fear incredible losing power quite top worried
The power of fear of failure, with will to win, is an incredible force. I don't think we should be worried about having a fear of failure; I think it's quite natural. If you surveyed any top businessman or any top athlete, I bet if they were truthful, they would all say they've got a fear of losing and a fear of failure.
afloat best currently yacht
'Titania' is the best yacht currently afloat of its kind and size. There is very little, if anything, that anybody would go wanting for on 'Titania.'
far greater
Those of us who have yet to find philanthropy may find there is a far greater reward from it than from wealth creation.
fashion
I was always interested in ladies' fashion.
years nine obvious
As the years passed, and I was nine, 10, 11 years old, it became obvious I was going to start up a business of some sort.
stupid dying sometimes
Sometimes your worst competitors are the ones which are dying because they do stupid things.
jobs believe rights
I believe in workers rights when people are doing a good job.
phones mail saws
I saw that e-mail was insidiously invading Phones 4u, so I banned it immediately.
cancer mail modern-business
E-mails are the cancer of modern business.
people important environment
People are much more important than superficial environments.