British billionaire John Caudwell is a prime example of how business ambition can transform into a deep commitment to social good.
''My grandmother used to tell me stories about our family: bakers, farmers, doctors...people who had built a life from nothing,'' he tells us.
''Those stories were etched into my mind and nourished something very deep: I wanted to build, to make money, but also to improve the lives of those around me.''
The entrepreneur and philanthropist welcomes us to Broughton Hall, the spectacular Jacobean mansion in Staffordshire he bought more than 30 years ago, which he shares with his partner, Modesta Vžesniauskaité, a former Olympic cyclist from Lithuania, and their two young children, William John and Isabella Sky.
© PHOTOGRAPHY: PALOMA ROJAS, MARCOS Y FERNANDA NAVARRO FOR COUCHE STUDIOThe businessman, who has five other children from previous relationships, divides his life between this mansion and properties in London and Monaco. Born in Birmingham in 1952, he spent his childhood in Stoke-on-Trent, in a family of modest means, and showed an entrepreneurial instinct from a young age.
His big break came in 1996 when he founded Phones 4u, which went on to become one of the UK's largest independent mobile phone chains. In 2006, John sold the company for nearly £1.5bn – and made a profound shift in his life by dedicating himself to philanthropy.
He is the founder of Caudwell Children, Caudwell Youth and Caudwell LymeCo, which, respectively, are dedicated to supporting children with disabilities, empowering vulnerable young people and funding research into chronic Lyme disease.
''We have helped more than 100,000 children and young people whose lives could have been left to chance. That, for me, is true success,'' John says. He took another significant step in 2013: through the Giving Pledge, he is committed to donating at least 70 per cent of his wealth to charitable causes both during his lifetime and after his death.
John, how did you discover your passion for philanthropy?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: PALOMA ROJAS, MARCOS Y FERNANDA NAVARRO FOR COUCHE STUDIO''It all started in a small, freezing bedroom on a council estate in Stoke-on-Trent. I was seven or eight years old, my father was ill, money was scarce, and yet I dreamt of being able to improve people’s lives. I used to sell worms to fishermen, collect gift coupons from cigarette packets to exchange them for products, and, later, I sold motorcycle clothing.
''Someone once asked me what I would like my gravestone to say. At first, I said: 'Here lies the UK's most successful businessman.' But over time, I realised that sounded hollow. Money without meaning serves for little. So I redirected that ambition to my second dream, which I’d had since I was a child, which was to do something good – to leave an important legacy.''
You were one of the first British billionaires to join the Giving Pledge...
© PHOTOGRAPHY: PALOMA ROJAS, MARCOS Y FERNANDA NAVARRO FOR COUCHE STUDIO''I had already decided to donate the majority of my wealth long before the Giving Pledge existed. I firmly believe that private wealth, used responsibly, can change the world. Governments cannot solve everything. If every billionaire donated half of their fortune, we would be talking about trillions dedicated to the world’s greatest challenges: child health, poverty, education, the environment.
''So when Bill Gates launched the Giving Pledge, he didn’t need to convince me. I became one of the first British billionaires to sign.
''I pledged half of my wealth and then increased it to 70 per cent because I realised I could do more, both now and after my death. The number of signatories is small, but the impact is enormous: over $600 billion committed so far. I am proud to be a part of it and hope it encourages others to stop hoarding money and start doing something meaningful with it.''
What attracted you to Broughton Hall?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: PALOMA ROJAS, MARCOS Y FERNANDA NAVARRO FOR COUCHE STUDIO''I've always loved Jacobean and Tudor architecture and often cycled past Broughton Hall thinking: 'How incredible would it be to own this one day?' Then, suddenly, I saw in a local Staffordshire newspaper that it was up for sale.
''The estate dates back centuries; the current house was built at the beginning of the 17th century, with that classic black-and-white half-timbered style later stuccoed and then restored.
''It has passed through many hands: it was owned by the Broughton family and then sold at the beginning of the 20th century to a Midlands industrialist, John Hall, who carried out significant restoration work.
''In the 1940s, it became a school, and in the 1950s, it passed into the hands of Franciscan nuns. When I acquired it, I knew I was taking on a piece of English heritage.”
'I often cycled past Broughton Hall thinking how incredible it would be to own this one day.’
What was the main challenge when restoring it?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: PALOMA ROJAS, MARCOS Y FERNANDA NAVARRO FOR COUCHE STUDIO''When I bought Broughton Hall, it wasn't in ruins, but it needed care. Over the years, especially during its time as a convent, several of the main rooms had been divided with partitions to create small cells, so the first task was to open up the spaces again and restore them to their original proportions. The real challenge was finding the balance between honouring the building's history and creating a functional home. We focused on careful and period-appropriate restoration, discreetly integrating the necessary modern conveniences.
''My eldest daughter, Rebekah, is an interior designer and played a fundamental role. She has a wonderful instinct for preserving the elegance and architectural integrity of the past, while also creating warm, functional and lived-in spaces. Bringing Broughton Hall back to life as a home was a long process but enormously rewarding.''
What does a typical day look like? Do you have any favourite spaces?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: PALOMA ROJAS, MARCOS Y FERNANDA NAVARRO FOR COUCHE STUDIO''I like to start early, either cycling on the local roads or training in the gym. One of my favourite spaces is, in fact, my bike room. I maintain all my bicycles myself – changing wheels, adjusting gears, everything. During the day, I work with my team in the estate's office building. I'm still very involved in my businesses and remain very present in the charitable organisations, so there is always a lot to do.
''As a family, we spend a great deal of our time in the pool house. Modesta and I are incredibly competitive, so table tennis tournaments are a regular fixture. There's a sauna and an ice bath in there, too.
''I also absolutely adore the orchard; for my 70th birthday, Modesta planted a tree for every member of the family. Plums, apples... the whole place really comes to life when the fruit arrives.
''Indoors, I enjoy the grand lounge, where we usually gather, as well as the galleries. The kitchen is the heart of the house and I like to cook when I have time. And yes, there is a train track on the estate. I have been fascinated by steam trains and miniature railways since I was a child, so I built a small private line to take visitors around the grounds.''
You have several residences but consider Broughton Hall your home...
© PHOTOGRAPHY: PALOMA ROJAS, MARCOS Y FERNANDA NAVARRO FOR COUCHE STUDIO''I've had Broughton Hall for over 30 years and it is my oldest home.
''My residences in London and Monaco are useful for social and work commitments, but Broughton offers something different. It is quieter, more private and more appropriate for family life, as well as being surrounded by a fantastic network of local friends.''
There are rumours of ghosts associated with the house. Have you had any personal experiences?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: PALOMA ROJAS, MARCOS Y FERNANDA NAVARRO FOR COUCHE STUDIO''Yes, there are many stories – it's part of the charm. It is said there is a figure called Red Socks: in Cromwell’s time, he supposedly leaned out of a window shouting, 'We are with the King!' and was shot down. They say his spirit roams the house. Honestly, I haven't had any apparitions, but others claim to have felt strange things: a bed vibrating or a slight caress when going up the stairs. To me, it's folklore, something that sparks mystery, not fear.''
What values did your childhood instil in you?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: PALOMA ROJAS, MARCOS Y FERNANDA NAVARRO FOR COUCHE STUDIO''I grew up in a tough but tremendously formative environment in Stoke-on-Trent. My father had a stroke when I was about 14, and when I was 18, he passed away. My mother worked incredibly hard to raise us. That taught me resilience, responsibility and humility.
''At school, I was bullied for being ginger, for being 'ordinary', and I think part of what shaped me was not wanting to be simply that. I took that drive into all my businesses, but also into my philanthropy – I don't just want to be successful, I want to have meaning.''
What role do your family play in key decisions?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: PALOMA ROJAS, MARCOS Y FERNANDA NAVARRO FOR COUCHE STUDIO''They are everything. My partner, Modesta, is a constant source of strength and challenge. We talk, debate and decide together, especially when it comes to donations, how to raise the children or how to manage Broughton Hall.
''Although my older children are already adults, they remain central; their happiness, their purpose, their values matter much more than any material success.''
Do you have a passion that people might not know about?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: PALOMA ROJAS, MARCOS Y FERNANDA NAVARRO FOR COUCHE STUDIO''Car racing. I'm obsessed with speed, engineering and the absolute concentration that driving requires. One of the great adventures of my life was participating in the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, an extreme rally that covers more than 14,000km and crosses some of the toughest terrain in the world.
''It wasn't glamorous or comfortable, but it was extraordinary. Deserts, mountains, breakdowns, mud, dust, exhaustion... and yet, you have to keep the car, and yourself, going. It is a supreme test of endurance, resilience and mechanical ingenuity.''
