John Roberts (British businessman)

John Roberts (born 1973) is a British businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of AO World, an online retailer specialising in electrical goods, and supporter of youth charity OnSide Youth Zones.

For other people named John Roberts, see John Roberts (disambiguation).

John Roberts
BornOctober 1973 (age 49–50)[1]
NationalityBritish
EducationBolton School
OccupationBusinessman
TitleCEO and founder, AO World
SpouseSally Roberts
Children5

Early life

Roberts grew up in Bolton.[2] He went to Bolton School, and earned eight GCSEs, but failed his A-levels in maths, geography and economics.[3][4]

Career

Roberts started his career as a waiter and kitchen salesman.[2]

In 2000, he founded Appliances Online, after a friend bet him £1 to set up a business.[4] In 2014, Roberts led AO World’s listing on the London Stock Exchange, valued at the time at £1.2 billion.

In May 2019, the Sunday Times Rich List put Roberts' wealth at £210 million.[5]

In February 2017, he stood down as CEO of AO World, and was succeeded by Steve Caunce.[6] Two years later, in January 2019, AO World announced that Caunce was stepping down as CEO, and Roberts was reassuming the role.[7][8]

Roberts has said he built AO on his two personal mottos of ‘treat every customer like your gran’ and ‘make your mum proud’[9]

In September 2021, Roberts was listed 30 in the Financial Times list of the UK’s Top 100 Entrepreneurs. He won the This is Manchester Supernova Award in 2018 and the Retail Week Retail Activist Award in 2020.[10][11][12]

Philanthropy

Roberts has been a supporter of Bolton Lads and Girls Club for more than 25 years. In 2016, Roberts and his wife Sally gave £1.5 million to OnSide Youth Zones. He has been a Trustee of the charity since 2015. In 2020, he pledged to give OnSide Youth Zones his £20 million bonus if the AO Value Creation Plan pays out. He says he gives most of his salary to charity.[13][14][15][16][17]

Personal life

He is married to Sally Roberts, they have five children, and live in Bolton.[4][2][18] It was reported that he will not allow his children to work for the company, nor will they inherit, and is "considering putting his wealth into a charitable trust".[2]

References
  1. "John Charles ROBERTS personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  2. Scheerhout, John (24 March 2014). "Millionaire tells his kids they won't be inheriting £500m fortune". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  3. "'Results give you options' - John Roberts, AO World". managementtoday.co.uk. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  4. "Britain's Top 100 Entrepreneurs 2014: No. 7 - John Roberts, AO World". managementtoday.co.uk. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  5. "Rich List 2019: profiles 553-599=, featuring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas". The Sunday Times. 12 May 2019. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  6. "John Charles Roberts, AO World PLC: Profile and Biography". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  7. Hipwell, Deirdre (1 February 2019). "AO World founder John Roberts spins back into top job". Retrieved 1 February 2019 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  8. Jahshan, Elias (31 January 2019). "AO World founder John Roberts to return as CEO as Steve Caunce steps down". retailgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  9. "Don't cry to mother if rates freebie comes back to bite". the Guardian. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  10. "The UK's top 100 entrepreneurs". Financial Times. 13 September 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  11. "The Shortlist & Winners '18". This is Manchester Awards 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  12. MacDonald2020-03-12T23:15:00, George. "Retail Activist: AO's John Roberts on bringing kids OnSide". Retail Week. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  13. "ONSIDE YOUTH ZONES - Charity 1125893". register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  14. Roue, Lucy (26 January 2016). "AO boss gifts £1.5m to young people". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  15. "John Roberts makes bonus pledge to OnSide". OnSide. 21 July 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  16. Robinson, Jon (9 May 2021). "AO investor and philanthropist Bill Holroyd unveils the secrets of a good deal". Business Live. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  17. "John Roberts". OnSide. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  18. "Husband and wife donate £1.5 million to charity". The Bolton News. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
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