your comments
Paula Day, Singapore (ex Kanata)
I worked for Newbridge in Kanata, Ontario, for 9 years and knew Terry and his family. He treated people with a great deal of respect and created job opportunites for many of us. In the early days he would have staff meetings in the cafeteria on Fridays and would use this time to motivate and inspire us all. He drank beer with anyone who was in the office on Fridays at 5pm. He is a smart man with a humble touch when needed. I will always be thankful to him for all he gave us, that experience has stayed with me all these years later. I am sorry to hear that his mother has passed away and send my condolences to his family.
Geoff Wooding, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Congratulations to Sir Terry for being named The University of Victoria's Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year. I happened to work with Terry in 1972/73 in Kanata. Always a gentlemen. Always driven to excell!!
Nige - Risca
Looking out of any window in the Celtic Manor resort hotel is such a pleasure as you have a wonderful view - without having to see the ugly mostrosity itself. How the planners allowed the colditz with canopies is beyond me. Let's just hope they all enjoyed their holidays that year.
Lee Parfitt, Cardiff
Is it true Terry Matthews is investing in Media Receive? I worked for the company a while back, they have so much up their sleeves for next generation home technology.
Peter Halford, Cwmbran
I felt so sorry for Mr Matthews. In the local paper it stated that he no longer is a billionaire, he has only got £980 million. Perhaps we ought to have a whip round for him !
Bobby of Newport
I wish Newport City Council would take a leaf or two out of Sir Terry's book and do for the city what he has done for the Celtic Manor.
Lyndon Hughes
As a Newbridge lad of the same era as myself I am sure Terry must have some happy memories of the Memo, so I agree with Jane. Come on Terry, support the refurbishment of the Memo and help to put a social heart back into the community.
Jane Lamyman, Newbridge
Shame a billionaire couldn't afford to give a few crumbs from his table to help restore The Newbridge Memo. Especially as he is so fond of using the name of Newbridge and its street names in his various business ventures. Yeah, a real philanthropist!
Rick Hughes - Swansea
I worked for Newbridge Networks for 10 years and then in the same building for its acquirer for the next 5. Terry was a great invigorator, people worked hard and had great rewards - in the heyday of Newbridge the buzz of working for the company was infectious. The payback to the employees of above average salaries and great share schemes made people want to put in the hours. It was a sad day when Alcatel took over the company, and I am sure that it must goad Terry that every time he visits his Celtic Manor resort that he has to look out on what was the Newbridge EMEA HQ ... and see an Alcatel sign. It wasn't all 'golden touch' and several of Terry's offshoot companies went bust, but he certainly did well for Newbridge staff.
Paul Doherty, Newport
Sir Terry has done so much to put Newport on the map and I am proud to work for him once again. A shame there's not more like him in Wales - thank you, Sir Terry.
John Blair from Kent
I was at school with Terry at Pontllanfraith technical-grammar School. In those days I was nicknamed "Bill". Terry was an exuberant, effervescent person with a great sense of humour, beneath which resided a natural ability to achieve.
Terry Matthews, Barnsley
For every action comes an opposite but equal reaction. I just read about my namesake's life and my life sure is the opposite!
Juan Carlos Martinez (Newbridge Mexico)
I had the honor to meet Terry in person, he truly is a great person who taught each and every single employee how to work and care about everyone's time and effort.
Barbara from Gwent
Sir Terry is one of the best that was born in Wales, and I am proud of him and wish him well in all that he does in the future. One query that I have and would be pleased to find out, did he work for South Wales Switchgear before going overseas.
Hardy family, Oakwood, North London
On reading through some of the above we were sorry to hear about Terry's mother. We are frequent visitors to the Resort and often speak to both sets of parents!
Terry eats in the Olive Tree Restaurant with the rest of us when he visits. For a billionaire he certainly does not seem to have any "side".
Des Ewers, Dorset
I worked for Newbridge for 14 years until being made redundant by Alcatel shortly after they took over and then ruined the product range. Terry was (and I am sure still is) a great leader and a sad day when Alcatel took over. A man who truly followed his dreams and made them come true...
Saz from Newbridge
Sir Terry, we are all sorry to hear about your Mother passing away. All of the family send our regards to you and your family. Thank you for the great night down at the Celtic Manor after the funeral as the whole of the family gathered to celebrate the life of your mother and what a great life she did have.
Irishmike
I'm a former Newbridge employee and Terry was the greatest guy I ever had the pleasure of working for and knowing. Two regrets: wish I had worked for him my entire career, and he shouldn't have hired a few assholes that were in critical positions and didn't have a clue, but spent their day playing on the internet. But he finally got shot them. He's a Welshman, but Welshman are the Irish that couldn't swim.
But he sure can motivate people, make money, and have fun. More power to Terry!
Ben Rees from Liverpool
He must be an outstanding Welshman. It is a story of dedication and inspiration, and he has put Wales on the map. He will do many more things I am sure but just imagine bringing the Ryder Cup to Wales. A feat never envisaged in Newbridge in 1950.
Steve Gill, San Francisco, California
I worked for Terry at Newbridge from 1990 until the sale to Alcatel. Naysayers be damned, he was and is always a first class gentleman, lots of fun to work with and be around, boundless energy, enthusiasm and ideas. Many have benefitted along with him.
A new Canadian in Ottawa, Canada
Sir Terry Matthews is a true inspiration. A great entrepreneur who touched the lives of millions.
Stephen Walton, Aberdare
Living in Sydney born in Aberdare I had not heard of Terry until he met with Huw Jenkins of Swansea City. Is Terray going to get the Swans back in the Premiership?
nikita kelsey south wales
weres the pictures!
Alan Herndon - USA
Great leader, fiery personality, but abandoned his employees (who made him rich) two times when he sold Mitel and Newbridge (where I was employed). He is a great starter, but he is a lousy finisher.
Jon Palmer
Terry Matthews has inspired me and my family for the past 20 years. We are from Wales then moved to Canada and then San Jose.
Terry's Motivation and company structure provided me with the education, Experience and soul to become someone.
I know many more people that he has inspired to help themselves meet their own aspirations. Many being Welsh and canadian
Terry is one in a million. and this statement is not about money but rather the person
Thank you Terry from the Palmer Family.
Robert Brown ,Vancouver, BC, Canada
Terry is a one-in-a-million, or perhaps billion, kind of guy. It's an amazing experience to work with him and watch how he inspires, leads, cajoles and ultimately helps people to succeed. He is utterly unique.
Liz, Newport
So, he's a wonderful down to earth chap, the hotel is an eyesore & Mitel in South Wales is laying off bit by bit. Remember he's the billionaire he isn't in business for anyone else's benefit.
JH. London
Surrounds himself with clever people and somehow inhales their energy into himself.
Could afford to be less egotistical though. MITEL : MIke and TErry's Lawnmowers. NEWBRIDGE Networks: after his home town. And Terence Matthews Drive in Kanata? Per-lease.......
Dara from Ottawa
Boundless energy and enthusiasm.
Ian Thomas
I remember Terry Matthews when he lived in Newbridge and we went to see his Austin Atlantic parked in his father's garage at the back of the terraced miners house they lived in at that time. He was probably 17 or 18 at that time.
Neil Upham from Risca Gwent
I was in school with Sir Terry although I
cannot remember much about him when he was in school. I have tried to find our old school and I cannot.. Pontllanfriath
Technical College. In Pontllanfriath, our Headmaster was the infamous and brilliant Mr T Glyn Price, father of Dame Margret the Opera singer. Anyone from the old school like to contact me?
Jim Dorey from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Terry Matthews' best trait is his personality and sense of humour. He has inspired me to bigger and better things - all the while enjoying the ride.
S from Newport
I live across from the Celtic Manor Resort and the last time I looked I live in Newport not the Usk Valley.
Bernie Watts in London, Ontario, Canada
Terry Matthews is a 'feet on the ground' guy, no BS. He has done more for Wales and for Canada in the telecommunications industry than any other individual you might care to mention.
Billionaire owner of the Celtic Manor Resort
