Name John Howard | Role UK businessman | |
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The hon john howard in defence of conservatism at acre s edmund burke award 2016 london
John Howard is a British businessman/entrepreneur who plays a significant role in many companies in East Anglia, including being a former member of the board of directors of Cambridge United F.C..
Contents
- The hon john howard in defence of conservatism at acre s edmund burke award 2016 london
- The john howard abdnor involvement relaxation insane us private press psych gem
- Controversy
- References
He is the MD of Auction House UK, the fastest growing property auction company in the Country, currently the UK's No.1 Residential Auctioneer and a Top 5 Commercial Auctioneer.
He has also recently invested with his business partner in Fine and Country, the largest and fastest growing upmarket estate agency in the country, owning a large number of franchises throughout Norfolk,Suffolk and Essex.
Outside his numerous business interests he has vast experience in the Equestrian World having been an Owner, Breeder as well as training Racehorses from his home in Suffolk.
The john howard abdnor involvement relaxation insane us private press psych gem
Controversy
He has attracted controversy through one of his businesses, Bideawhile 445 Ltd, which was used as a vehicle to purchase the Abbey Stadium from Cambridge United for GBP 1,923,000 in order to lease it back to the club in November 2004 for an estimated annual rent of GBP 200,000[1]. Although at the time the sale itself was unopposed as, although not welcomed, fans realised it was the only way to keep the financially challenged club afloat, Bideawhile's subsequent dealings have been questioned. This has principally been due to Howard's refusal to sell the ground back to Cambridge United, despite then United director Dr. Johnny Hon offering the club the money to buy back the ground at a price of GBP 2.2 million (a significant profit for Howard on a four-month investment) in April 2005.
Howard's reasoning for the refusal to sell was that "we...do not believe it is in the best interests of CUFC or Bideawhile to enter into negotiations to sell the ground at this present time"[2]. This was met with fierce opposition from fellow directors and fans alike. Dr. Hon himself stated that "I'm extremely disappointed that John Howard has decided not to accept the offer of £2.2 million that I made last week, especially because I understand he had told Roger Hunt and the Board that his heart and loyalty was with the Club"[3] while U's majority shareholder Paul Barry stated that "I am very disappointed that John has turned down the offer for the Club to control its own destiny with its freehold"[4].
The fans' reaction to Howard's refusal to sell the ground has been, and continues to be, negative[5]. Chants of "We want our stadium back" were regularly heard at home and away fixtures while a protest was organised through Cambridge town centre to highlight the club's plight prior to the final game of the 2004/05 season against Notts County by Cambridge Fans United. Growing pressure on John Howard from the fans led him to issue a statement that he would not be attending this fixture as it would be "in the best interests of the Club if I am not present on this occasion"[6]. This led to questioning on the Club's message boards and in the local media of Howard's true commitment as a fan, and the irony of his reasoning (the "best interests" of the club) did not go unnoticed, as it was widely felt that this was what he was not serving by refusing to sell the Abbey Stadium back to the Club.
In December 2005 a supporter of Cambridge United made a 16-foot banner with the words: SELL IT BACK in protest of John Howard’s ownership of the Abbey Stadium. On January 7, 2006 the banner was signed by over 800 fans before a home match.
On 1 April a Cambridge United fan placed John Howard’s back garden on eBay. John Howard’s house was pictured along with a satellite view of his land. The auction was set up in protest of Howard refusing to sell back the stadium to the club.
On the evening of Tuesday August 1, it was announced that John Howard had resigned from the board of directors.[7]
It was announced in February 2010 that Howard's company, Bideawhile 445 Ltd., had agreed to sell the Abbey Stadium to a property developer for GBP 3,500,000. The sale was agreed with Grosvenor Estates, and amounted to a profit for Bideawhile of around GBP 2,500,000 - including rental receipts - since they purchased the stadium five years earlier.
The fans trust organisation, Cambridge Fans United, then tried to buy back the stadium by matching the sale price agreed with Grosvenor Estates.[8]^ The supporters' trust attempted to get extra time to find the cash, but this was rejected by Bideawhile.[9]^