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Dragons' Den - Around The World

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Click to play: Peter introduces us to his family.

Peter Jones

Peter Jones

About Peter:

Peter played an ace when he founded his tennis academy at 16 and has rarely double faulted since.

Most likely to say in the Den:

"I don't think you've thought this through at all"


Video:

Watch - Peter's Life: See inside Peter's plush pad and meet his junior Dragons.

Watch - Peter's Video Diary: Theo has a special gift for Peter, but what will he make of it?

Watch - Peter's Story: It's not all been plain sailing for Dragon Peter Jones



Peter's career to date

As a schoolboy Peter's parents saved up to send him to private school but he found it difficult to adapt to the change and returned to state school for the rest of his education. The feeling of power gained from sitting in his dad's office chair as a boy sparked his motivation to make big money.

Peter's entrepreneurial journey started early when, at the age of 16, he founded a tennis academy. His career then took a technical curve, setting up a computer business and later a computer support company. Peter then experienced a run of bad luck in the form of a 'fun if costly mistake' investing in a restaurant and losing his house and cars when his computer business closed. 

At the age of 28, Peter joined corporate giant Siemens Nixdorf and ran its computer business in the UK. In 1998 he founded Phones International Group, a telecommunications firm that now generates revenues in excess of £200m.

His business interests range from telecoms, leisure, publishing to TV and media. Peter has won many national awards, including Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year in 2002. Now in his early forties, Peter is considered to be one of the UK's leading young businessmen.

The Peter Jones Foundation was established in 2005, to offer funding and support to underprivileged children in the UK. Through the foundation Peter has also set up the National Enterprise Academy, working with the government's New Enterprise Scheme to shift the boardroom to the classroom. The course for 16 - 19 year old entrepreneurs will open its doors in 2009.

This year a National newspaper challenged Peter to sit an A level business studies exam which he passed with flying colours, gaining an A grade without formally studying the course material.

Peter's Profile

 

We caught up with Peter for a quickfire Q&A

Name: Peter Jones

Age: 42

Family:Tara and children Annabelle, William, Natalia, Isabella, Tallulah

Pets: Dog called Holly

Describe yourself:Energetic, fun, driven, honest and caring

Estimated wealth:  In the hundreds of millions

Most outrageous purchase: A stay on Necker Island for my friends and family

One thing I always spend the extra on: I don't scrimp on cars

Best job I’ve had: Being a Dad

Worst job I’ve had: I haven't had one

The one thing I look for in employees: Initiative and Loyalty

Dream job: I'm doing it

Last CD I bought (or downloaded): Hamfatter 'The Girl I Love'

Last gig / concert I went to: Hamfatter at the Stables in Chalk Farm

Last film I saw: High School Musical with my kids

Favourite holiday destination:Portugal

Favourite sport and player: Tennis and Annabel Croft.

Favourite pitch: Levi Roots's Reggae Reggae Sauce

Best investment to date: Most of mine have done well

The one that got away: They never get away

I'd never invest in: Dishonest or scruffy people


Have your say

Comments

Shaun, London 2009-06-17

I think Peter Jones is awesome. To be honest he is my favourite Dragon in the Den, because he has the most humility. He is not only the most successful dragon , but refreshingly he is the most down to earth dragon. I believe he is the kind of entrepeneur I want to become. Go Peter, your awesome!

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Kate 2009-05-12

I love Dragon's Den :D My recorded programmes are full of Dragon's Den. You, Peter, are simply awesome.

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Anonymous 2009-03-25

Peter like me is interested in cars but one tip for you peter if your going to buy a maybach make it a 62 instead of a 57 and a black one instead of a gold one.

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David Shaddick, Stowmarket 2009-03-17

Blatantly the sharpest Dragon. Love the suits and who wouldn't want to be as tall as you. My favourite Dragon along with Theo.

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Chris, Liverpool 2009-02-22

If you have a good idea but do not have the confidence to go on the show, is there a way of the dragons viewing it? For example I would like to sell an idea/invention and walk away.

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Steven Fletcher, Fife,UK 2009-02-19

Peter, You can see the potential when others don't and you grasp hold with both hands. All I can say is You r da Man! Keep it going...

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Anonymous 2009-02-05

I find you and the other dragons an inspiration to show that a good idea can change a persons life

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Sam Scowen, Maidenhead 2009-02-02

I want to play you at tennis!!!

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Anon, Oxford 2009-01-29

Peter Jones you are an inspiration. I enjoy hugely some of the comments on Dragon's Den like'"I dont have trouble getting dates, I'm incredibly good looking and I'm wealthy"...classic, but respect you enourmously for the success you have made for yourself

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Mo, Leeds 2009-01-23

I enjoy the program on TV and think it has opened a lot avenues for most people who didn't know how to start out

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Latest online episode:

Dragons' Den Online, 22nd May:
Chris Truelove and Warren Cole


Catch up with the previous episode:
Watch Matt in the Den

The Online Dragons

Julie Meyer

Julie heads an advisory company for entrepreneurs and has raised millions for start-ups.

Read - Julie's profile

Julie Meyer

Shaf Rasul

Edinburgh based Shaf has made his millions in property and computers.

Read - Shaf's profile

Shaf Rasul

The Dragons from TV

Deborah Meaden

Deborah made her name in the West Country holiday park business.

Read - Deborah's profile

Deborah Meaden

Duncan Bannatyne

This former king of the 99s first made money from an ice cream van.

Read - Duncan's profile

Duncan Bannatyne

James Caan

James began in business working out of a room the size of a shoebox.

Read - James's profile

James Caan

Peter Jones

Peter played his first ace when he founded a tennis academy at 16.

Read - Peter's profile

Peter Jones

Theo Paphitis

Theo began forming his children's inheritance in the school tuck shop.

Read - Theo's profile

Theo Paphitis

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