Phones4U founder and communications magnate John Caudwell, 61, abandoned his A-level study at a school in Stoke-on-Trent and started an apprenticeship at a tyre factory before moving on to selling used cars.

Mr Caudwell jumped on the mobile phone revolution in the 1980s trading as Midland Mobile Phones, later renamed Phones4U, which Caudwell sold for £1.5bn in 2006. The telecoms pundit remains in business, investing in marine, aviation, property and wealth management.