John Caudwell: The business community is running out of goodwill for Labour Opinion When I started out as an entrepreneur, I asked for only three things from government. I wanted predictability, fair taxation and a system that rewarded hard work, says John Caudwell As someone who built Phones 4u from a one man band into a multi-billion-pound business, I know that every large company begins as a small [...]
John Caudwell: Britain needs more employment, not more employment law Opinion The Employment Rights Bill shift the balance too far in favour of workers at the expense of bosses, and will strangle job creation as a result, says John Caudwell As an entrepreneur, I built successful businesses that employed many thousands of people. That experience taught me two things. First, Britain’s prosperity depends on successful employers [...]
Britain must rediscover radicalism Opinion There’s plenty of talk about growth from our politicians, but precious little radical thinking about how we unleash innovation, back risk-takers and rip up the planning system, says John Caudwell As party conference season closes, we’re left again with a familiar chorus of promises – growth, reform, renewal. Politicians across the spectrum have dusted off [...]
Enough slogans, Labour must walk the walk on growth September 11, 2025 The government’s promises of economic growth will fail unless it moves beyond slogans and reshuffles to implement substantive structural reforms in tax, planning and infrastructure to provide the certainty and stability needed to attract business investment, says John Caudwell Our Prime Minister tells us, once again, that his government is focused on growth. The reshuffle [...]
I learned the hard way. That doesn’t mean today’s entrepreneurs need to August 13, 2025 Successful entrepreneurs have a responsibility to mentor the next generation of talent, writes John Caudwell.
I sold my business for £1.5bn – with great wealth comes great responsibility July 10, 2025 Those of us fortunate enough to thrive at the top must do more to support those struggling at the bottom, not out of guilt or obligation, but because it is the right thing to do and makes us richer in meaning, purpose and legacy, says John Caudwell This week I had the honour of speaking [...]
What did a rally across the world teach me about business? It’s about being in the drivers’ seat June 12, 2025 Driving across deserts from Peking to Paris is a reminder that, in business, it’s not always the strongest or the fastest who win the race, it’s those that stay cool under pressure and get back on the road, says John Caudwell I’m filing this month’s column a short distance from the border of Georgia and [...]
Entrepreneurs! We need YOU to back Britain May 13, 2025 Governments don’t create growth, businesses do – and it’s time for Britain’s business leaders to move beyond the negativity and back this great country, says John Caudwell I’ve always believed in Britain. Through the ups and the downs – from the boom years and the Brexit battles to the huge challenges presented by the Covid [...]
Talent is fleeing Trump’s America and Britain stands to benefit May 1, 2025 The US is experiencing a brain drain as the American dream turns into a nightmare under Donald Trump. Britain should welcome American talent with open arms, says John Caudwell I cannot be the only one watching with deep concern as the United States – a nation once synonymous with opportunity and freedom – descends into [...]
It’ll take more than a White House PR stunt to turn Tesla around March 19, 2025 Elon Musk represents a reputational risk to Tesla and the company’s value could soon collapse to near zero, says John Caudwell Tesla will need a lot more than a PR stunt on the White House driveway to reverse its current despairing fortunes as anti-Elon Musk and anti-American trade war sentiment reverberates around the globe. While [...]
