Peter Jones (entrepreneur)
Encyclopedia
Peter Jones, CBE
(born 18 March 1966) is a British entrepreneur and businessman with interests in mobile phones, television, media, leisure, and property. He became a television celebrity through his appearances on the BBC Two
show Dragons' Den
and on his American television show American Inventor
. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.
and attended Desborough School
there and, subsequently, The Windsor Boys' School
A keen tennis player as a teenager, he earned money by giving tennis lessons and set up his own tennis academy at the age of 16. By age 21 he was married and had his own home.
His second venture was a computer business where he manufactured PCs under his own brand. In his mid twenties, he opened a cocktail bar in Windsor based on the Tom Cruise
film Cocktail. However, he lost £200,000 after deciding to sell it. According to an interview with The Times, Jones' computer business
failed when he was in his twenties, and he was forced to give up his three-bedroom home in Bray
, his cars and to move back in with his parents. He then joined Siemens Nixdorf
.
After Siemens, he set up his next venture Phones International Group in April 1998. He started humbly by sleeping on the office floor but business soon grew. The firm experienced explosive growth with revenue totalling £14 million by the end of the first year and £44 million by the end of the second. The company was one of the fastest growing businesses in Europe. Group turnover for 2005/2006 was in excess of £150 million.
, returning for the seventh UK series, which started in January 2005. Jones is known on the show for his regular conflicts in the Den with fellow Dragon, Duncan Bannatyne
.
. "American Inventor
", which was co-produced by Fremantle
, Simon Cowell
and "Peter Jones Television" – aired in March 2006. The first episode of Inventor put ABC ahead of rival networks with a 7.8 average rating and a 13 share and became a Number one show in America. The show, in which Jones also featured as a judge, was the network's biggest success for a Thursday primetime slot in years.
" deal with ITV
to appear as their new "face" of business programming, on 21 September 2006 Jones appeared on GMTV
to talk about "Dragons' Den" and his new ITV1
show Tycoon
– solely produced by the "Peter Jones Television" company. The viewing figures were 2.1 million viewers, which was more than the UK premiere of The Apprentice and Dragons' Den when they both aired in 2005. The series returned on Monday, 9 July 2007 as a 30-minute format for the 10 pm slot.
and Deborah Meaden
in the fifth episode of the sixth series of Hustle
. Jones appeared in ITV's Celebrity Juice
in May 2010, and James Corden's World Cup Live
in June. In November 2010, Jones was a guest panellist in BBC Quiz Show Never Mind the Buzzcocks
, and in The Magicians
in January 2011. Jones has twice participated in the "Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car" segment of Top Gear, once on his own and once with fellow Dragons' Den judge Theo Paphitis
.
Jones took over from Gordon Ramsay
as the face of BT Business
. In June 2009 Jones appeared in advertisements for moneysupermarket.com, a UK Price Comparison website.
, to buy the gift experience
company Red Letter Days from fellow panellist Rachel Elnaugh
, under whose ownership it had collapsed.
He has also created other businesses between 2004 and 2008, including firms such as Wines4Business.com, an online retailer specialising in the sale of wine and champagne to corporate clients and Celsius, a specialist recruitment business.
His investments resulting from his appearances on Dragons' Den
include Wonderland Magazine (a luxury lifestyle and culture magazine), Square Mile International (which provides data services for marinas and later sold to BT), The Generating Company
(a contemporary circus company), Concentrate Design
(which creates products to help pupils concentrate at school), iTeddy and Reggae Reggae Sauce
.
He owns a TV production company called Peter Jones TV, and his business portfolio also includes a range of property investments (his nine properties include a Portuguese villa that he bought from DJ Chris Evans and a property in Beverly Hills, California).
In 2009 Peter Jones founded the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy
(formally NEA) as a way to improve the entrepreneurial capabilities within the UK. The National Enterprise Academy is a centre of excellence for enterprise and entrepreneurship and has two campuses in Buckinghamshire and Manchester with a third opening in Sheffield September 2010.
. He also has a stable of classic and luxury sports cars, while his sponsored business car is presently a Maybach 57.
On 12 August 2008 he was challenged by British tabloid The Sun
to sit a 90 minute A-Level examination in Business Studies. He accepted the challenge and received an 'A' grade.
Jones lives in Beaconsfield
, South Buckinghamshire with current girlfriend Tara and their three children. He is separated from his first wife Caroline, with whom he had two children.
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
(born 18 March 1966) is a British entrepreneur and businessman with interests in mobile phones, television, media, leisure, and property. He became a television celebrity through his appearances on the BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
show Dragons' Den
Dragons' Den (UK)
Dragons' Den is a British television series, hosted by Evan Davis. The format of the show is owned by Sony Pictures and is based on the original Japanese series, which has been sold around the world...
and on his American television show American Inventor
American Inventor
American Inventor is a reality television series based on a competition to be named America's best inventor. It was conceived by UK entrepreneur Peter Jones, who appears on the British version of the somewhat similar programme Dragons' Den, a format originated in Japan where it is owned by Sony....
. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.
Early life and career
Peter Jones grew up in MaidenheadMaidenhead
Maidenhead is a town and unparished area within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, in Berkshire, England. It lies on the River Thames and is situated west of Charing Cross in London.-History:...
and attended Desborough School
Desborough School
Desborough School is a comprehensive school on Shoppenhangers Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England. Until 2009 it was solely an all boys school; however, the Sixth form has since become co-educational. It was founded as Maidenhead County Grammar school in 1894 under its first Headmaster Mr A. E....
there and, subsequently, The Windsor Boys' School
The Windsor Boys' School
The Windsor Boys' School is an all-boys secondary school on Maidenhead Road in Windsor, Berkshire, within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Local Authority.-Admissions:...
A keen tennis player as a teenager, he earned money by giving tennis lessons and set up his own tennis academy at the age of 16. By age 21 he was married and had his own home.
His second venture was a computer business where he manufactured PCs under his own brand. In his mid twenties, he opened a cocktail bar in Windsor based on the Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
film Cocktail. However, he lost £200,000 after deciding to sell it. According to an interview with The Times, Jones' computer business
Computer industry
Computer industry is a collective term used to describe the whole range of businesses involved in developing computer software, designing computer hardware and computer networking infrastructures, the manufacture of computer components and the provision of information technology services.-See...
failed when he was in his twenties, and he was forced to give up his three-bedroom home in Bray
Bray, Berkshire
Bray, sometimes known as Bray on Thames, is a village and civil parish in the English county of Berkshire. It stands on the banks of the River Thames, just south-east of Maidenhead. It is famous as the village mentioned in the song The Vicar of Bray...
, his cars and to move back in with his parents. He then joined Siemens Nixdorf
Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme
Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme, AG was formed in 1990 by the merger of Nixdorf Computer AG and the Siemens' Data Information Services division...
.
After Siemens, he set up his next venture Phones International Group in April 1998. He started humbly by sleeping on the office floor but business soon grew. The firm experienced explosive growth with revenue totalling £14 million by the end of the first year and £44 million by the end of the second. The company was one of the fastest growing businesses in Europe. Group turnover for 2005/2006 was in excess of £150 million.
Dragons' Den
Jones came to public prominence in the UK for his persona on BBC Two's Dragons' DenDragons' Den (UK)
Dragons' Den is a British television series, hosted by Evan Davis. The format of the show is owned by Sony Pictures and is based on the original Japanese series, which has been sold around the world...
, returning for the seventh UK series, which started in January 2005. Jones is known on the show for his regular conflicts in the Den with fellow Dragon, Duncan Bannatyne
Duncan Bannatyne
Duncan Walker Bannatyne, OBE is a Scottish entrepreneur, philanthropist and author. His business interests include hotels, health clubs, spas, media, TV, stage schools, property and transport. He is most famous for his appearance as a business angel on the BBC programme Dragons' Den...
.
American Inventor
He sold his TV show idea called 'The Inventor' to the American Broadcasting CompanyAmerican Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
. "American Inventor
American Inventor
American Inventor is a reality television series based on a competition to be named America's best inventor. It was conceived by UK entrepreneur Peter Jones, who appears on the British version of the somewhat similar programme Dragons' Den, a format originated in Japan where it is owned by Sony....
", which was co-produced by Fremantle
FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia, Ltd. is the content and production division of Bertelsmann's RTL Group, Europe's second largest TV, radio, and production company...
, Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
and "Peter Jones Television" – aired in March 2006. The first episode of Inventor put ABC ahead of rival networks with a 7.8 average rating and a 13 share and became a Number one show in America. The show, in which Jones also featured as a judge, was the network's biggest success for a Thursday primetime slot in years.
Tycoon
After signing a "Golden HandcuffsGolden handcuffs
Golden handcuffs are a system of financial incentives designed to keep an employee from leaving the company. These can include employee stock options that will not vest for several years but are more often contractual obligations to give back lucrative bonuses or other compensation if the employee...
" deal with ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
to appear as their new "face" of business programming, on 21 September 2006 Jones appeared on GMTV
GMTV
GMTV was the national Channel 3 breakfast television contractor, broadcasting in the United Kingdom from 1 January 1993 to 3 September 2010. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of ITV plc. in November 2009. Shortly after, ITV plc announced the programme would end...
to talk about "Dragons' Den" and his new ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
show Tycoon
Tycoon (TV series)
Tycoon was an ITV reality television show, based on the existing Peter Jones/Simon Cowell production American Inventor, which began on 19 June 2007 at 9.00pm. It was fronted by Peter Jones, who searched for entrepreneurs with ideas that he helped turn into profit-making companies. The winner was...
– solely produced by the "Peter Jones Television" company. The viewing figures were 2.1 million viewers, which was more than the UK premiere of The Apprentice and Dragons' Den when they both aired in 2005. The series returned on Monday, 9 July 2007 as a 30-minute format for the 10 pm slot.
Other television work
In January 2010, Jones appeared alongside his Dragons' Den co-stars Duncan BannatyneDuncan Bannatyne
Duncan Walker Bannatyne, OBE is a Scottish entrepreneur, philanthropist and author. His business interests include hotels, health clubs, spas, media, TV, stage schools, property and transport. He is most famous for his appearance as a business angel on the BBC programme Dragons' Den...
and Deborah Meaden
Deborah Meaden
Deborah Meaden is a British business woman who ran a multi-million pound family holiday business, before completing a management buyout...
in the fifth episode of the sixth series of Hustle
Hustle (TV series)
Hustle is a British television drama series made by Kudos Film and Television for BBC One in the United Kingdom. Created by Tony Jordan and first broadcast in 2004, the series follows a group of con artists who specialise in "long cons" – extended deceptions which require greater commitment, but...
. Jones appeared in ITV's Celebrity Juice
Celebrity Juice
Celebrity Juice is a British television comedy panel game show on ITV2 that has been airing since 24 September, 2008. The show is presented by Keith Lemon, with regular captains Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton, alongside regular panellist Rufus Hound...
in May 2010, and James Corden's World Cup Live
James Corden's World Cup Live
James Corden's World Cup Live was a comedy chat show hosted by comedian James Corden during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The show was broadcast after every ITV evening match with Abbey Clancy, celebrity guests, a football hero, a studio full of fans, Corden's friends and family, his human World Cup...
in June. In November 2010, Jones was a guest panellist in BBC Quiz Show Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Never Mind the Buzzcocks
Never Mind the Buzzcocks is a comedy panel game television show with a pop music theme, currently without a permanent presenter. It stars Phill Jupitus and Noel Fielding as team captains. The show is produced by Talkback Thames for the BBC, and is usually aired on BBC Two...
, and in The Magicians
The Magicians (TV series)
The Magicians is a British family entertainment television show, first broadcast throughout January 2011 on BBC One. The show features magicians Luis de Matos,Barry and Stuart, and Chris Korn performing a number of magic tricks with guest celebrities, competing for audience support...
in January 2011. Jones has twice participated in the "Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car" segment of Top Gear, once on his own and once with fellow Dragons' Den judge Theo Paphitis
Theo Paphitis
Theodorus "Theo" Paphitis is a retail magnate and British entrepreneur of Greek Cypriot origin. He made the majority of his fortune in the retail sector, and is best known to the general public for his appearances on the BBC business programme Dragons' Den and as former chairman of Millwall...
.
Jones took over from Gordon Ramsay
Gordon Ramsay
Gordon James Ramsay, OBE is a Scottish chef, television personality and restaurateur. He has been awarded 13 Michelin stars....
as the face of BT Business
BT Group
BT Group plc is a global telecommunications services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is one of the largest telecommunications services companies in the world and has operations in more than 170 countries. Through its BT Global Services division it is a major supplier of...
. In June 2009 Jones appeared in advertisements for moneysupermarket.com, a UK Price Comparison website.
Other businesses
In the summer of 2005, Jones teamed up with another Dragons' Den star, Theo PaphitisTheo Paphitis
Theodorus "Theo" Paphitis is a retail magnate and British entrepreneur of Greek Cypriot origin. He made the majority of his fortune in the retail sector, and is best known to the general public for his appearances on the BBC business programme Dragons' Den and as former chairman of Millwall...
, to buy the gift experience
Experiential gifts
Experiential gifts also known as gift experiences and experience gifts, pioneered in the UK in the 1990s, now represent one of the faster growing segments of the $253 billion a year gift industry...
company Red Letter Days from fellow panellist Rachel Elnaugh
Rachel Elnaugh
Rachel Elnaugh is a British entrepreneur, who came to prominence as an investor on the first two seasons of BBC Two's TV show Dragons' Den, in which hers was the sole female perspective alongside four male entrepreneurs known as the Dragons.-Early life:Her family lived above her father's...
, under whose ownership it had collapsed.
He has also created other businesses between 2004 and 2008, including firms such as Wines4Business.com, an online retailer specialising in the sale of wine and champagne to corporate clients and Celsius, a specialist recruitment business.
His investments resulting from his appearances on Dragons' Den
Dragons' Den (UK)
Dragons' Den is a British television series, hosted by Evan Davis. The format of the show is owned by Sony Pictures and is based on the original Japanese series, which has been sold around the world...
include Wonderland Magazine (a luxury lifestyle and culture magazine), Square Mile International (which provides data services for marinas and later sold to BT), The Generating Company
The Generating Company
The Generating Company is an international touring circus company producing large scale commercially successful shows and events around the world. Most recent shows include 'Voyage de la Vie' at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore and 'Aqua' the worlds largest water show in Shenzhen southern China...
(a contemporary circus company), Concentrate Design
Concentrate Design
Concentrate Design creates products developed to help pupils concentrate at school. Founded in 2004, the company came to public note when its products were pitched on BBC's Dragons' Den, and won investment from entrepreneur Peter Jones...
(which creates products to help pupils concentrate at school), iTeddy and Reggae Reggae Sauce
Reggae Reggae Sauce
Reggae Reggae Sauce is a Jamaican jerk spice, popularised by creator Levi Roots' appearance on BBC2's Dragons' Den.Dragon's Den investor Peter Jones has since classified the product as one of his most successful investments from the show...
.
He owns a TV production company called Peter Jones TV, and his business portfolio also includes a range of property investments (his nine properties include a Portuguese villa that he bought from DJ Chris Evans and a property in Beverly Hills, California).
In 2009 Peter Jones founded the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy
Peter Jones Enterprise Academy
The Peter Jones Enterprise Academy , formerly known as the National Enterprise Academy is an educational establishment, offers programs at a number of UK Colleges. The Academy was founded by Peter Jones in 2008; its 'Pathfinder' course began January 2009 in Buckinghamshire with 28 students...
(formally NEA) as a way to improve the entrepreneurial capabilities within the UK. The National Enterprise Academy is a centre of excellence for enterprise and entrepreneurship and has two campuses in Buckinghamshire and Manchester with a third opening in Sheffield September 2010.
Personal life
A self-confessed car freak, his first car was an Alfa Romeo AlfasudAlfa Romeo Alfasud
The Alfa Romeo Alfasud is a compact car made by Alfa Romeo of Italy from 1971 to 1989. It was considered one of Alfa Romeo's most successful models, sold 893,719 examples from 1972 to 1983 plus 121,434 Sprint versions from 1976 to 1989. A common nickname for the car is ’Sud...
. He also has a stable of classic and luxury sports cars, while his sponsored business car is presently a Maybach 57.
On 12 August 2008 he was challenged by British tabloid The Sun
The Sun (newspaper)
The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
to sit a 90 minute A-Level examination in Business Studies. He accepted the challenge and received an 'A' grade.
Jones lives in Beaconsfield
Beaconsfield
Beaconsfield is a market town and civil parish operating as a town council within the South Bucks district in Buckinghamshire, England. It lies northwest of Charing Cross in Central London, and south-east of the county town of Aylesbury...
, South Buckinghamshire with current girlfriend Tara and their three children. He is separated from his first wife Caroline, with whom he had two children.