John Roberts

John is an entrepreneur, businessman, investor and passionate philanthropist.

He founded online electrical retailer AO.com in 2000 following a £1 bet with a friend that he couldn’t transform the white goods market for the benefit of customers. Over twenty five years later, with the industry changed, it has proven to be a valuable bet. AO is now the UK’s most trusted electricals retailer, employing around 3,000 people across the UK. AO also owns one of Europe’s most advanced electricals recycling plants, a nationwide best-in-class logistics company and is the largest online mobile phone retailer in the UK.

John is also a long-standing campaigner of and champion for the development of opportunities for young people through the establishment of a Youth Infrastructure Fund, an innovative proposal to restore the £1bn p.a. of lost government funding back to youth services alongside philanthropic match-funding.

He and his wife Sally also pioneered the Flourish programme at The Bolton School, which provides 14 bursaries to Bolton School (two per year for seven years) which is available to members of OnSide Youth Zones to support their whole school experience.

John has previously been a Trustee and Chair of the Executive Board of OnSide Youth Zones, a charity that is transforming youth provision in the UK by giving young people safe, affordable and inspiring places to go in their leisure time. He remains closely involved with the charity.