John Roberts (British businessman)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Roberts | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 October 1973[1] |
| Education | Bolton School |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Title | CEO and founder, AO World |
| Spouse | Sally Roberts |
| Children | 5 |
John Roberts (born 8 October 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 30 year campaigner for young people including supporting youth charity, OnSide Youth Zones.
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 £1.6 billion.[5]
In May 2019, the Sunday Times Rich List put Roberts' wealth at £210 million.[6]
In February 2017, he stood down as CEO of AO World, and was succeeded by Steve Caunce.[7] Two years later, in January 2019, AO World announced that Caunce was stepping down as CEO, and Roberts was reassuming the role.[8][9]
Roberts has said he built AO on his two personal mottos of ‘treat every customer like your gran’ and ‘make your mum proud’.[10]
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.[11][12][13]