GROSSLY UNFAIR THAT WEDGWOOD COLLECTION CAN BE SOLD OFF – I MAY BUY, SAYS CAUDWELL.

JOHN CAUDWELL

@johndcaudwell

QUOTES

December 20, 2011.

 DISASTROUS FOR STOKE-ON-TRENT, AND GROSSLY UNFAIR THAT WEDGWOOD COLLECTION CAN BE SOLD OFF – I MAY BUY, SAYS CAUDWELL.

Commenting on the High Court's ruling that the historic Wedgwood pottery collection can be sold to help pay off a £134 million pension fund deficit, John Caudwell said:

“The first thing that strikes me is just how grossly unfair it is that a law designed to protect people in totally different circumstances is causing such vast worry and uncertainty amongst those who are completely blameless for a debt that may result in an important collection – and a big piece of Potteries heritage – being broken up.

“I passionately believe that the collection should remain intact and in place, and available for public viewing.

“If the Trustees don’t find any other way of solving the issue, then I will attempt to buy the entire collection and keep it n situ for the foreseeable future, and continue with public access.

“This would be subject, of course, to the outcome of any discussions with Administrators, and input of the Trustees.

“It is vital that such an important piece of history and heritage remains in the Potteries.”

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.

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Further information:
Iain Macauley
07788 978800
im@pressrelations.co.uk

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