OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EU NEEDS TO BE RE-NEGOTIATED.

Transcript of my opinion column in The Times, April 22, 2013, regarding Business for Britain, and the need to re-negotiate our relationship with the EU.

Over the last few years the British people have become increasingly sceptical about the European Union. A clear majority no longer think that British taxpayers, farmers, small businesses or consumers are getting a good deal from Brussels.

The kneejerk response of many defenders of the existing configuration of the EU is to insist that the EU is good for British business and that any big changes to Britain’s relationship with Brussels will hurt our economic interests. I’m reminded of the late 1990s when many big business voices - although that didn't include me - poured scorn on the public’s worries about the Euro. We now know that the people were right and it took the hugely successful Business for Sterling campaign to confront groups like the CBI and make the case against UK membership of what has become the disastrous single currency project.

It’s time for British businesses to organise again and make it clear that while some business leaders are always ready to defend the EU, many of us are increasingly concerned about its direction. 500 business figures have today signed up to the Business for Britain campaign to support a renegotiation of our EU relationship and get a better deal for the people who create this nation’s jobs and wealth.

I’m one of those signatories. I've run businesses in this country for 30 years, one of which became the world's biggest privately-owned mobile telecoms business employing thousands of people, and giving me the dubious honour of becoming quite possibly Britain's biggest personal tax payer.

Many people were hopeful that the EU’s single market would bring big benefits to Britain, but while it might once have been the case that being part of the Single Market was of net benefit, the costs and overregulation from Brussels now threaten to significantly outweigh any of those benefits.

Start-up SMEs, many of whom undertake no international activity, still have to comply with the red tape that Brussels has designed for cross-border trade. That makes no sense. Some economic regulation is necessary to facilitate fair competition, but Brussels often seems to regulate for regulation’s sake. Its tendency towards a one-size-fits-all approach is making it harder for European businesses to compete with the world’s more lightly-regulated emerging economies.

Other problems loom, too.

The Financial Transaction Tax is a key example of Brussels’ detrimental thinking. If forced through with just eleven Member States' support, it risks damaging the competitiveness of the entire Single Market.

The City of London Corporation estimates the tax would add nearly £4 billion to the cost of issuing UK debt - the last thing our economy needs as it rebuilds. London is still the financial centre of the world and we need to do everything to maintain and promote that status.

Other businesses in other parts of Europe share many of the concerns of British business. They worry about the EU’s declining share of world trade and the EU’s contribution to that decline. If Britain presents sensible reforms to the economic architecture of the EU, many businesses in Germany, Spain, Poland and across the continent will encourage their governments to take those suggestions seriously.

We know that an opportunity for change is certainly coming. The EU will need to alter its Treaties to deal with the challenges posed by the still grave Eurozone crisis. As EU leaders think about fiscal union and other Treaty changes - possibly taking big steps towards federalism - we should be debating the kind of relationship we want to have with the EU. It's not about being in or out; business wants a more balanced relationship - and getting that balance right is vital for this nation’s competitiveness.

Business wants to see Brussels recognise that a diversity of economies requires far more flexibility than is currently provided for. If the EU is to thrive, with Britain in it, it needs to adapt. Tweaking reforms and paying lip-service to change have failed to address Europe’s economic woes and democratic deficit. The EU would benefit from showing it is open to decentralisation and deregulation in the areas where it would boost competitiveness. ]The ‘European project’ is always changing and evolving. In this fiercely competitive age it needs to change again. An end to a one-size-fits-all model of regulation is central to the change that is necessary. Business for Britain will be at the Prime Minister’s elbow, encouraging him to be bold in his demands for a more competitive EU. If he delivers it won’t just be Britain that will prosper. The European mainland’s record number of unemployed people will benefit, too.

John Caudwell, Entrepreneur and philanthropist.

More links:

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/columnists/article3745353.ece (subscription required).
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/500-business-leaders-call-for-new-deal-in-europe-8582087.html?origin=internalSearch

http://businessforbritain.org/

http://www.cityam.com/article/britain-s-business-elite-becoming-increasingly-eurosceptic

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10008978/500-business-leaders-tell-David-Cameron-to-negotiate-a-better-deal-with-Europe.html

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b740e8e4-aa83-11e2-bc0d-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2RAzcgEnS (subscription required).

HOLLYWOOD STAR EVA LONGORIA PRESENTS JOHN CAUDWELL WITH CHARITY "PHILANTHROPRENEUR" AWARD.

JOHN CAUDWELL
@johndcaudwell
PRESS RELEASE

December 10, 2012.

HOLLYWOOD STAR EVA LONGORIA PRESENTS JOHN CAUDWELL WITH CHARITY "PHILANTHROPRENEUR" AWARD.

Philanthropist and entrepreneur John Caudwell's two worlds merged on Saturday night when he was presented with The Noble Gift Philantrhropreneur Award by Hollywood star Eva Longoria.

John received the award at The Noble Gift Gala at ME London where other award winners included will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas.

"It's easy to get blinded by the fantasy and glamour of Hollywood and lose sight of reality. But the commitment of Eva Longoria in supporting and highlighting the efforts of myself and the other award winners illustrates that while Hollywood is largely completely lost in that fantasy and its own importance, there are a few shining lights who are deeply appreciative of the gritty reality of the tough challenges the massively less-fortunate face and overcome every day," said John Caudwell.

"Eva Longoria is one of those special people who recognise that charities face real battles - not just in addressing the challenges they commit to support, but also in driving an awareness of what they do, and consequently to raise even more funds and support.

"Yes, we had a great and glamourous evening, but the effect and influence of such events in bringing to the fore the plights and challenges of those in need should not be underestimated."

The Noble Gift Gala honours individuals who have impacted the world through their exceptional philanthropic work, and is a unique international fundraising gala initiative that brings together the worlds of business, celebrity and philanthropy to raise funds and awareness to fiscally responsible charities locally and internationally.

It works with fundraising organisations and charities including Make-A-Wish UK, The Eva Longoria Foundation, The Great Initiative, Seven Bar Foundation,  Fight for Life, and, most recently, Caudwell Children, a charity founded by John Caudwell, and which he continues to support.

Caudwell Children, which John founded in 2000, is so efficient that it converts every £1 raised into £2.08 to help desperately ill children and their families.

"It's a great honour to receive any award or recognition. But this is an award which in effect recognises the efforts philanthropists make the world over, and how charities and good causes embrace and direct donations and resources, in turn enabling them to make a huge difference to the lives of the vulnerable," said John Caudwell.

"But while I was delighted to accept the award, I must highlight the day-to-day efforts of the Caudwell Children team, and use this moment to emphasise the depth of the desperate plight of the children and families Caudwell Children tries to help."

Amongst others, John also supports the Elton John Aids Foundation, The Prince's Trust and the NSPCC, and was the principal donor to the Bomber Command Memorial in London.  John Caudwell is one of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs, having built and then sold  the Caudwell Group of telecoms businesses. The sale of the group, whose high street face was Phones 4u, realised £1.46 billion. Since the 2006 sale, John has concentrated on supporting various charities, but with a particular emphasis on Caudwell Children.

Other recipients of 2012 Noble Gift Awards: Mrs. Ella Krasner (NG Philanthropist Award), rap music star will.i.am (NG Humanitarian Award) and Mrs. Sylvie Young OBE (NG Wanson Award).  

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.caudwell.com

www.caudwellchildren.com

CAUDWELL IS TITLE CHARACTER IN SKY 1 HD SERIES “THE ANGEL”

JOHN CAUDWELL

@johndcaudwell

PRESS RELEASE

January 19, 2012.

ENTREPRENEUR JOHN CAUDWELL IS TITLE CHARACTER IN SKY 1 HD SERIES “THE ANGEL”.

Photo available.

Entrepreneur John Caudwell is to be the title character in a new flagship Sky 1 HD series to be screened in the summer – The Angel.

John, who sold his mobile telecoms business for £1.5 billion in 2006, has more recently been involved in extensive charitable and philanthropic work, but in this series he goes back to his business roots by assessing entrepreneurs who will compete for £100,000 of his money in each programme.

In each of the five 60-minute shows, six contestants will be invited into the studio to compete for that investment in a bid to make their business dreams come true.

But it will not be easy: Caudwell will scrutinise their every word, thought and move.

“Business is tough and uncompromising, and that’s how I’ll be in interviewing and assessing people who are hoping to get £100,000 of my money to invest in their business,” said John.

“I’ve interviewed many would-be senior managers for my businesses, and I know from experience that with the right people on board, you can make almost anything work – but the wrong ones, with the wrong approach, wrong attitude and wrong qualities can be disastrous.

“I’ll be looking for specific and exceptional qualities – perhaps not entirely what these contestants would expect: hunger and ambition can hide in many places in somebody’s character, personality and background.”

John, from Stoke-on-Trent, transformed twenty six mobile phones worth £1,350 each into a £2 billion business. Caudwell Group – best known for the high street chain Phones4U – had by 2000 achieved an annual turnover exceeding £1billion. More recently he has provided millions of pounds worth of support through philanthropic work to projects including the Prince’s Regeneration Trust and its redevelopment of Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, as major benefactor to the Bomber Command Memorial in London’s Green Park, and to the work of the Elton John Aids Foundation amongst others – although his prime charitable interest is his own charity, Caudwell Children www.caudwellchildren.com

John says that the success of the business was mostly to do with the quality of his employees – who could have been successful in any business – although being involved in the fast-growing mobile phone market was a contributing factor.

“Success can be down to the individual and his or her qualities, and the ability to deliver against an idea rather than the idea itself – although the idea is, of course, important,” said John (Twitter @johndcaudwell).

“Bearing that in mind, the show provides a fantastic opportunity to combine analysis of business people’s abilities with an opportunity to help drive young entrepreneurial companies forward, but, best of all, it creates a vast opportunity to generate cash for charitable purposes: all profits from my investments, and all my fees, will go to my charity, Caudwell Children (@caudwellkids), which helps sick and dying – but massively inspirational – children.”

The six contestants – each carefully chosen for character, contrast and their business idea - will be put under extreme pressure throughout a series of rounds specifically designed to address John’s six golden business attributes: drive, ambition, passion, resilience, commercial intellect and leadership.

The rounds will consist of a mixture of individual tasks, head-to-heads and group challenges, and at the end of each round, after the worst performing contestants have faced a thorough grilling from John, one hopeful will be eliminated.  The last remaining entrepreneur in each programme will be awarded £100,000 of John’s own money in investment.

However, it is only after John has put his money on the table does he finally find out what he’s just invested in.

The Angel is a Twofour production for Sky 1 HD. The factual entertainment series was commissioned by Stuart Murphy and will be exec produced by Melanie Leach and Chris Brogden (Twofour) and Antonia Hurford-Jones (Sky). Sarah Caplin is consultant executive producer, and the series producer is Kate Bates.

The Angel is due to be broadcast on Sky 1 HD in the summer. To get involved visit www.sky.com/theangel.

In 2006, John Caudwell sold his 10,000-employee mobile phone business, which included Phones 4u, for £1.5bn. John now concentrates on charitable and philanthropic work including Caudwell Children @caudwellkids.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

JOHN CAUDWELL: COMMENT ON DAVID CAMERON’S EUROZONE CRISIS PLEDGE TO FIGHT FOR UK INTERESTS.

JOHN CAUDWELL

@johndcaudwell

QUOTES

December 7, 2011.

JOHN CAUDWELL: COMMENT ON DAVID CAMERON’S EUROZONE CRISIS PLEDGE TO FIGHT FOR UK INTERESTS.

Commenting on David Cameron's vow to fight to protect the UK national interest in discussions over a new EU Treaty, highly-successful entrepreneur John Caudwell said:

“At last David Cameron appears to be listening to the UK public, and, crucially, UK business, by digging his heels in over UK Sovereign power in Europe.

“It could, of course, be government smoke and mirrors again. But if this stance does win some Sovereign powers back for Britain, then it at least gives us a better chance of directly influencing our own future rather than being trapped in or dragged into the mess the other EU states are wading around in.

"It’s too early for any real detail, but any rebuttal of EU imposition needs to be robust – we must not be sold down the river.”

In 2006, John Caudwell sold his 10,000-employee mobile phone business, which included Phones 4u, for £1.5bn. John now concentrates on charitable and philanthropic work including Caudwell Children @caudwellkids.

Ends
Further inforation
iain Macauley
im@pressrelations.co.uk
07788 978800

JOHN CAUDWELL FEATURES IN CNBC PROFILE: “CNBC MEETS”.

JOHN CAUDWELL

@johndcaudwell

PRESS RELEASE

November 1, 2011.

JOHN CAUDWELL FEATURES IN CNBC PROFILE: “CNBC MEETS”.

Interview with entrepreneur and philanthropist
to air on 2 November at 10.00pm GMT.

Photo here: http://bit.ly/sz3O1e

Video clip here: http://bit.ly/tm4ekj

John Caudwell, who sold his UK-based mobile telecoms business including high street brand Phones 4u for £1.5 billion in 2006, features in CNBC’s “CNBC Meets” series - which profiles some of the world’s most successful people - on Wednesday, 2 November at 10.00pm GMT.

CNBC’s guest presenter, Tania Bryer, speaks with Caudwell about how he built his business from nothing, and now focuses on charitable and philanthropic work,

In this exclusive interview, Caudwell talks candidly about his poverty-stricken childhood growing up on a council estate in Stoke-on-Trent, how he was bullied at school, and about his first business ventures - which failed.  He also talks openly about how he built up his mobile phone empire – and the sacrifices he had to make along the way.

Caudwell discusses the raid on his family home in 2010 and how he was nearly killed defending his family; he also talks and the importance of philanthropy in his life - as one of Britain's active philanthropists he has raised millions of pounds to help sick and disabled children. 

The programme looks at how he gives back to make a real difference to people's lives via Caudwell Children, @caudwellkids, the charity he founded which raises millions of pounds, and  also at his support of the NSPCC and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Filmed on location at his old home, his schools and at the Jacobean estate in Staffordshire where he now lives with his family – and including interviews with The Duchess of York, Sir Elton John and singer Peter Andre - this episode takes viewers on an inspirational rags to riches journey which is truly inspiring.

First transmission date:  2 November 2011, 10.00pm GMT.

Transcript and review copies of the programme are available upon request.

Presenter - Tania Bryer

Producer / Director- Jennifer Linton

Editor - Brian Watkinson

Executive Producers - Tania Bryer & Niaz Samadizadeh

The CNBC Meets series, which is sponsored by Gulf Air, has already featured up close and personal interviews with Tamara Mellon (Jimmy Choo), Richard Desmond (Northern & Shell) and supermodel Naomi Campbell.

CNBC is available in the UK on all major pay-tv platforms:  Sky (channel 505), Virgin (613), Talk Talk (510), Freesat (210).

Ends

Notes to Editors

About CNBC

CNBC is the leading global broadcaster of live business and financial news and information, reporting directly from the major financial markets around the globe with three regional networks including CNBC in Asia, CNBC in EMEA and CNBC in the US.  CNBC.com provides live streaming as well as an extensive video archive, database and analytical financial tools.  CNBC is dedicated to CEOs, senior corporate executives; the financial services industry and private investors.  The channel is available to more than 390 million homes worldwide.  CNBC is a division of NBCUniversal.  www.cnbc.com

For more information, please contact:

Hugo Foulds

CNBC

hugo.foulds@cnbc.com 020 7653 9398

John Caudwell PR:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk 07788 978800

johndcaudwellblogspot.com

YouTube: CaudwellPhilanthropy

CAUDWELL AUDLEY SQUARE BRIEF: “THINK GRAND MAYFAIR ARCHITECTURE”.

JOHN CAUDWELL

@johndcaudwell

PRESS RELEASE

October 31, 2011.

CAUDWELL AUDLEY SQUARE BRIEF: “THINK GRAND MAYFAIR ARCHITECTURE”.

Prospective development partners for John Caudwell’s newly-acquired Audley Square House site have been told to think “grand Mayfair architecture” when considering their proposals.

A division of John Caudwell's property investment and development business acquired the site earlier in October from Ireland’s National Asset Management Agency in a £143 million deal, and has started talks with a select number of potential partners.

And while the site has planning permission for a “contemporary glass-faced” residential apartment complex of 157,000 square feet, Caudwell’s team is looking at other options for the six-year plan which would ultimately “drastically improve the architecture in this corner of Mayfair”.

“The intention is not just to re-establish Audley Square as one of the most desirable residential areas in London, but as one of the most desirable in the world – with super-prime properties appealing to the world’s most discerning buyers, and I believe traditional Mayfair architecture is the key to success,” said John Caudwell.

“But it’s too early in the process to confirm absolutes. We still have to look very carefully at how we address the likely hurdles, but once those challenges have been overcome we expect to deliver a fabulous development in the style of ‘grand Mayfair architecture’.

“We’re currently in discussion with a small number of prospective development partners, and we have extremely high expectations.”


In 2006, John Caudwell sold his 10,000-employee mobile phone business, which included Phones 4u, for £1.5bn. John now concentrates on charitable and philanthropic work including Caudwell Children @caudwellkids.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

@Press_Relations

JOHN CAUDWELL SUPPORTS CONSERVATION PROJECT AT MIDDLEPORT POTTERY, STOKE-ON-TRENT

JOHN CAUDWELL

@johndcaudwell

PRESS RELEASE

October 25, 2011.

JOHN CAUDWELL SUPPORTS CONSERVATION PROJECT AT MIDDLEPORT POTTERY, STOKE-ON-TRENT.

October 25, 2011, tour of factory with HRH The Prince of Wales.

Entrepreneur John Caudwell, who built one of the UK’s most successful mobile phone businesses, creating thousands of jobs in Stoke-on-Trent, has committed a significant six-figure sum to a project by The Prince’s Regeneration Trust for the conservation and regeneration of Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

John toured the factory on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 with His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, President of The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, to learn about the project and its wider regeneration objectives. The project at Middleport will create local jobs, attract new business to the area and production of the world-renowned blue and white Burleighware will remain in Stoke-on-Trent.  

“In an era of an invisible and largely electronic economy, it is sometimes easy to forget that everything we know today was built on an industrial and manufacturing revolution, which bred incredible craftsmen and products, and made Britain a manufacturing powerhouse. Coming from an engineering background myself, I really appreciate the skills required in making and producing quality products,” said John Caudwell.

“Making pottery is an ancient industry; we touch and use the products of the pottery industry thousands of times a day – which perhaps dilutes our recognition of their significance.

“The pottery products of Stoke-on-Trent are something very special, often imitated but never matched. But the products of Middleport Pottery are not just special, they represent the products of the Stoke-on-Trent pottery industry at its very best.

“Nowhere else on earth are the skills and craftsmanship of working with clay, water, heat and colour so deeply embedded in the DNA of the population. It is crucial that such craftsmanship is preserved in Stoke-on-Trent, and so I am delighted to be making a contribution to the recovery, maintenance and growth of a vital local industry.”

In 2006, John Caudwell sold his 10,000-employee mobile phone business, which included Phones 4u, for £1.5bn. John now concentrates on charitable and philanthropic work including Caudwell Children @caudwellkids.

Follow John Caudwell on Twitter @johndcaudwell.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

CAUDWELL: EUROPE ON TIGHTROPE AS MERKEL AND SARKOZY BALANCE WIN AND LOSE.

JOHN CAUDWELL

@johndcaudwell

PRESS RELEASE

October 22, 2011.

CAUDWELL: EUROPE ON TIGHTROPE AS MERKEL AND SARKOZY BALANCE WIN AND LOSE.

Commenting on the current Eurozone talks, entrepreneur John Caudwell said:

“Merkel and Sarkozy will struggle to find agreement over the financial crises. Sarkozy has everything to gain – he desperately needs a solution because Franceis more vulnerable to contagion, and its credit rating is under threat, while Merkel has the lion’s share of everything to win – and lose.

“Finding a comprehensive solution which will work will be immensely complicated, even for one member state. But since the solution has to work for all member states, this means the complexity of the proposal grows exponentially with the self-interests of each country piled one on top of the other.

“I also believe there is an element of Merkel keeping her powder dry for now, but she is, of course, well aware of the ill condition of Europe, and cannot allow it to deteriorate too much for fear of a domino-effect collapse. It will cost her more than anyone else; she knows she has to tread carefully.

“There is a crucial balancing act going on as Europe walks a precarious tightrope with the rest of the world perched on its shoulders.”

In 2006, John Caudwell sold his 10,000-employee mobile phone business, which included Phones 4u, for £1.5bn. John now concentrates on charitable and philanthropic work including Caudwell Children @caudwellkids .

@johndcaudwell

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

CAUDWELL: PROPOSALS INVITED FROM SELECT NUMBER OF PROSPECTIVE AUDLEY SQUARE HOUSE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS

JOHN CAUDWELL
@johndcaudwell

PRESS RELEASE

October 20, 2011.

CAUDWELL: PROPOSALS INVITED FROM SELECT NUMBER OF PROSPECTIVE AUDLEY SQUARE HOUSE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS.

A division of John Caudwell's property investment and development business has agreed a deal to acquire Audley Square House on South Audley Street in Mayfair. The site has planning permission for residential apartments in excess of 150,000 square feet.

John Caudwell said: “This is an exciting opportunity to develop super-prime residential property in the heart of Mayfair, but there are a number of significant obstacles which need to be overcome. Although we are intending to take a considered and unhurried view on how best to progress, the key process of inviting proposals from a select number of prospective development partners has already begun.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk