John Caudwell

$4.14 B

Ranked #995 in World

About John Caudwell

John Caudwell, British billionaire and Phones 4u founder, acquired wealth after selling his Caudwell Group for £1.46 billion in 2006. A notable philanthropist, Caudwell has contributed significantly to various causes, including the Caudwell Children charity. Politically, he's been a Conservative donor but critical of recent leadership. His personal life includes enduring Lyme disease, a long relationship with Claire Johnson, and current partnership with Modesta Vžesniauskaitė, with whom he shares children.

Born

October 01, 1952 in Birmingham, England

Age

73 years

Source Of Wealth

Mobile Phones

Industries

Telecom

Citizenship

United Kingdom

Residence

Stoke-on-Trent

Children

John Caudwell, a British billionaire businessman and the founder of Phones 4u, was born in Birmingham, England, on October 7, 1952. He was raised in Stoke-on-Trent, England, where he spent his formative years.

John Caudwell: Family

John Caudwell has had several significant relationships throughout his life. He was married to Kate McFarlane for 25 years, from 1976 to 2001, and they had three children together. Following his divorce, he had a brief relationship with Jane Burgess, with whom he had a daughter. Caudwell then had a long-term relationship with Claire Johnson for 15 years, from 1999 to 2014, and they had a son together. Currently, he is in a relationship with Modesta Vžesniauskaitė, a former Olympic cyclist, and they have two children together.

John Caudwell: Career Highlights

John Caudwell's career is marked by several notable achievements. In 1987, he founded Midland Mobile Phones, which later became the Caudwell Group. The company experienced significant growth and success, and in 2003, Caudwell sold Singlepoint, a subsidiary of the Caudwell Group, to Vodafone for £405 million. In 2006, he sold the Caudwell Group to private equity firms for a staggering £1.46 billion.

John Caudwell: Companies

John Caudwell is primarily known for his entrepreneurial ventures. He founded Midland Mobile Phones in 1987, which later became the Caudwell Group. The company encompassed various businesses, including Phones 4u, Singlepoint, and Caudwell Communications. In addition, Caudwell owned the South African F1 Powerboat racing team Caudwell Racing from 2012 to 2014.

John Caudwell: Major Achievements

Caudwell's major achievements include building a multi-billion pound business empire from scratch. He successfully founded and grew the Caudwell Group, which became a leading player in the mobile phone industry. His business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit have been widely recognized and admired.

John Caudwell: Awards & Achievements

John Caudwell has received numerous awards and accolades for his philanthropic efforts. In 2012, he was honored with the Noble Gift Philanthropreneur Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to charitable causes.

Additionally, he was recognized for his generosity when he opened the Caudwell International Children's Centre in 2019.

John Caudwell: Personal Life & Legacy

Caudwell's personal life has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. He has been diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease, along with 11 family members. Despite this health condition, he continues to lead an active and impactful life. Caudwell is known for his philanthropic endeavors and his commitment to supporting various charities, including the NSPCC, Ark, and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

John Caudwell: Trivia

John Caudwell is known for his outspoken personality and his willingness to express his opinions on various issues. He has been critical of the Conservative party under Boris Johnson's leadership and has described UK politicians as "lily-livered" and the EU as "Brussels bully boys" regarding Brexit. Additionally, he has criticized Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's weakening of green policies.

Wealth History

Timeline

1952

John Caudwell is born in Birmingham, England.

1987

Caudwell founds Midland Mobile Phones, which later becomes the Caudwell Group.

2000

Caudwell founds the Caudwell Children charity, which promotes unproven health practices.

2003

Caudwell sells Singlepoint to Vodafone for £405 million.

2006

Caudwell sells the Caudwell Group to private equity firms for £1.46 billion.

2012

Caudwell is awarded the Noble Gift Philanthropreneur Award.

2013

Caudwell signs up for Bill Gates and Warren Buffett's Giving Pledge.

2014

Caudwell separates from his long-term partner, Claire Johnson.

2019

Caudwell opens the Caudwell International Children's Centre.

John Caudwell : FAQs

What is John Caudwell's current net worth?

John Caudwell's current net worth is $4.14 billion.

What is John Caudwell's current global rank among billionaires?

John Caudwell holds the 995th position globally among billionaires.

What is John Caudwell's current ranking within the United Kingdom?

John Caudwell holds the 20th position in United Kingdom.

What was the change in John Caudwell's net worth compared to the previous year?

John Caudwell's net worth increased by 629.18 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 3.51 billion dollars.

What are John Caudwell's main sources of wealth?

John Caudwell's main source of income comes from Mobile Phones.

In which industry does John Caudwell primarily operate?

John Caudwell is primarily involved in the Telecom industry.

How old is John Caudwell?

John Caudwell is 73 years old.

How many children does John Caudwell have?

John Caudwell has 7 children.

Who is John Caudwell and what is he known for?

John Caudwell is a British billionaire businessman, renowned as the founder of Phones 4u. He was born in Birmingham, raised in Stoke-on-Trent, and began his career at Michelin, subsequently started his own mail-order business, and founded the Caudwell Group which he sold for £1.46 billion in 2006.

How has John Caudwell contributed to charity and philanthropy?

John Caudwell is deeply involved in philanthropy. He is the president of the NSPCC North Staffordshire branch, founded Caudwell Children charity in 2000 to support unproven health practices, and has made significant donations to diverse causes such as Middleport Pottery and the Bomber Command Memorial Appeal. Additionally, he signed the Giving Pledge in 2013, committing to donate a portion of his wealth to charitable causes.

What is John Caudwell's connection with politics?

John Caudwell has engaged in political activities by donating to Conservative MP Bill Cash and the Conservative Party. He has voiced concerns about the party's direction under Boris Johnson's leadership, criticized Brexit negotiations, and expressed disapproval of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's approach to green policies.

Can you describe John Caudwell's personal life and family?

John Caudwell has had a dynamic personal life. He was married to Kate McFarlane for 25 years and has three children from that marriage. He also had relationships with Jane Burgess and Claire Johnson, with whom he has a child each. Now, he is partnered with Modesta Vžesniauskaitė, a former Olympic cyclist, and they have two children together. John has multiple residences including properties in Broughton Hall, Monaco, and London's Mayfair.

What health challenge has John Caudwell and his family faced?

John Caudwell and 11 of his family members have been diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease, a condition that has likely influenced his views on healthcare and driven his charitable interests in health-related areas.