John Caudwell founded the mobile-phone retailer Phones 4u before appearing as an investor on the UK television show Dragons' Den.
Caudwell and his brother Brian established the business in 1987, initially trading as Midlands Mobile Phones. The company grew as mobile-phone ownership expanded across the United Kingdom and later adopted the Phones 4u name. It became a major high-street and shopping-centre retailer of mobile phones and contracts.
John Caudwell appeared as a Dragon in the first series of Dragons' Den, although he did not remain a permanent panel member. His business background is sometimes mixed up with that of Peter Jones, another Dragon associated with mobile communications, but Phones 4u was founded by Caudwell.
Phones 4u entered administration in 2014 after losing agreements with major mobile-network operators. Caudwell later became known for philanthropy, particularly through the Caudwell Children charity.