John Caudwell

People are much more important than superficial environments.

I don't like paying too much for anything or wasting it. I think that I'm more of a balanced individual rather than a dichotomy.

Sometimes your worst competitors are the ones which are dying because they do stupid things.

Business gives you a massive high. Doing a great deal, coming up with an inspirational solution... It's very addictive. But it doesn't last long. In isolation, it's a bit sterile. It doesn't reward the soul.

It's important to show children love, affection and balance and invest time in their moral upbringing.

I'm a capitalist. I'm not going to feel sympathetic to people leading a life they don't have to lead who, with effort, could maybe break out of it.

I couldn't even contemplate anyone even making a film about my life!

I didn't want my epitaph to read 'Here lies John Caudwell, billionaire.' I knew that wasn't enough. I've had a charitable instinct all my life, but working gave me no time for it.

I will stay living in Staffordshire. Other people would be moving offshore. I am reasonably happy to help support the British economy. I have done very well out of Britain.

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.

Business is about being the best that you can be, and there are always glowing examples of people that we can all learn from.

Really good customer service will deliver sales. You are training salesmen to give the best possible advice and then to achieve the sale. People actually like you to ask for a sale because it shows you value their business.