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Peter Jones

A British entrepreneur and businessman with interests in mobile telecommunications, television, media, leisure, and property

He became a television celebrity through his appearances on the British BBC2 television show Dragons' Den and on his American television show American Inventor, where he is known for his often harsh judgements on the businesses. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.

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 three-bedroom 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. In his late twenties he lost his computer business due to customers failing to pay him. He was forced to give up his three-bedroom home in Bray, his BMW and Porsche cars and to move back in with his parents. He then joined Siemens Nixdorf, and became head of the PC Business in the UK in the same year at only 28, the youngest ever head of a business unit.

After working for Siemens Nixdorf he worked in the telecommunications market for twelve months and made enough money to 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.

(Profile information sourced from Wikipedia and other publicly available internet sources.)

Peter Jones on the web

Wikipedia: Peter Jones
Website: Peter Jones TV

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The National Enterprise Academy

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The National Enterprise Academy

Organization

Our Story

Peter Jones CBE, entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star had a vision. This vision had been bubbling away in his mind for many years – Peter wanted to create a centre of excellence for developing enterprise skills

His vision was to shift the boardroom into the classroom, equipping the future generation of entrepreneurs with the skills and confidence to aim higher.

Peter took action with his vision and by September 2009 the National Enterprise Academy was launched. As the UKs first non-profit educational institution dedicated to teaching enterprise and entrepreneurship. The NEA is a pioneer, giving people a head start in their career

What it's like at the NEA

The NEA simulates a real business environment, so that means normal working hours (9am to 5pm) and business dress for all. You'll also get plenty of preparation for the working world, working both individually and as part of a team. More information on what it's like to work here can be found on ourblog, or by checking out our new Facebook Pagefor the September 2010 intake, where you can put questions to current students and meet other people who are applying for the course.

This is what current NEA students have to say about the course:

"It was a rather special moment having a master class with one of the wealthiest people in Britain – someone whose name is published on the Sunday Times Rich List. Mike Clare spoke about his 4Ps that drive him to success and that was a real eye opener. He also took us through his whole entrepreneurial journey which made me realise that anyone can do it and gave me the drive that I needed."
Arjun, NEA Student 2009/10

"Working at an international company such as Grant Thornton on my NEA Work Placement has helped me recognise the career path I want to follow. The nature of the work involved interested me greatly and has only driven my thirst for more knowledge of the financial sector."
Ravi, NEA Student 2009/10

"I have no doubt that a large part of my success is down to the NEA and the experience I gained there… you couldn't gain it anywhere else.
"From going to the national enterprise academy I learnt about the entrepreneurial mindset as well as the skills and academia. Entrepreneurs have that can do attitude: they make things happen and inspire change. Look at Peter, I hope to be able to do that one day."