Charles Orton-Jones

Charles is the former editor of EuroBusiness magazine and deputy editor of Real Business magazine, and has written for The Guardian, Financial Management, LQ, Real FD, The Marketer and the CBI's magazine, Business Voice.

His specialism is interviewing entrepreneurs. Memorable interviews include John Caudwell on the day he banked £2.4bn and the "kitchen gangster" Vance Miller. He also covers politics, and has interviewed David Cameron, the president of Estonia, the prime minister of Lithuania and countless MPs and MEPs. In 2006 Charles won the PPA Business Writer of the Year award.

Articles
Pre-Budget Report and small businesses
Small business are facing “continuing difficulties over cash-flow and credit” said the chancellor. And he had some intriguing measures to lighten the load:
By Charles Orton-Jones  on   Nov 25,2008 - Comments (1) - Rating (3 votes)
Witness the UK business 'Taxodus'
This budget has turned two words into the most terrifying in the English language: National Debt.
By Charles Orton-Jones  on   Nov 24,2008 - Comments (0) - Rating (1 votes)
Simon Corbett – Jargon Public Relations
Simon Corbett of Jargon Public Relations explains why the world needs PR companies and why, having founded two previous businesses, he's still hungry for more.
By Charles Orton-Jones  on   Nov 03,2008 - Comments (0) - Rating (2 votes)
The Sun can turn up the heat
The Sun has launched a “Backing British Business” campaign. So far it has almost no goals, but you can bet the wallahs at DBERR are bricking it.
By Charles Orton-Jones  on   Oct 31,2008 - Comments (0) - Rating (1 votes)
Let’s axe the National Debt
Politicians are suddenly obsessed with small firms. About time too! But they seem stuck for ideas on how to help. David Cameron wants to permit deferral of VAT for six ...
By Charles Orton-Jones  on   Oct 27,2008 - Comments (0) - Rating (1 votes)
Terminate BERR, back the Lib Dems
Do entrepreneurs vote Lib Dem? They ought to if only to achieve one magnificent objective – the abolition of the Department for Business.
By Charles Orton-Jones  on   Sep 16,2008 - Comments (0) - Rating (2 votes)
The rise of Middle Eastern entrepreneurs
Ten years ago no one had heard of Dubai in terms of entrepreneurship. Like their cousins in Saudi, Kuwait and Oman these oil rich sheikhs seemed more interested in gold plating Bentleys ...
By Charles Orton-Jones  on   Sep 03,2008 - Comments (0) - Rating (0 votes)
Abolish these costly quangos
In 2005 the chief executive of the North West Development Agency and a friend were driven to see the rugby league cup final at a cost of £400. Who paid? The taxpayer.
By Charles Orton-Jones  on   Aug 11,2008 - Comments (0) - Rating (0 votes)
Who does the PM listen to?
Politicians love to think of themselves as big decision makers. Yet the sad reality is that most of the decisions get made by policy advisors.
By Charles Orton-Jones  on   Jul 29,2008 - Comments (0) - Rating (0 votes)
Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme
The SFLG has a reputation for being tricky to secure. Many entrepreneurs I’ve talked to say their local bank branch has never heard of it. Well, to give you a helping hand ...
By Charles Orton-Jones  on   Jul 26,2008 - Comments (0) - Rating (0 votes)
Dragon’s gold
Doug Richard was the ice-cool Californian who starred in Dragons’ Den for two series. A tech specialist, he brought serious analysis to even the most half-baked pitches. He’s a heavyweight in any ...
By Charles Orton-Jones  on   Jul 25,2008 - Comments (0) - Rating (0 votes)
Warning: tax rises are inevitable
Is the tax burden for start-ups too high? Entrepreneurs I speak to seem to be unable to hide their concern at the avarice of our tax men.
By Charles Orton-Jones  on   Jul 11,2008 - Comments (0) - Rating (0 votes)
The Gibbons Review
There’s nothing our beloved prime minister loves more than announcing a review. In the first six months of his premiership he announced a new review every four days. But what becomes of ...
By Charles Orton-Jones  on   Jul 08,2008 - Comments (0) - Rating (0 votes)
Shriti Vadera, minister for small firms?
What does the government have against small businesses? Even the Department for Business can’t be bothered with small firms.
By Charles Orton-Jones  on   Jul 04,2008 - Comments (0) - Rating (1 votes)
Why can’t Wales learn from Ireland?
Ask any public servant in Latvia, Lithuania or Estonia what they want for their country and they’ll tell you in flash: “We want to be like Ireland.”
By Charles Orton-Jones  on   Jul 01,2008 - Comments (0) - Rating (0 votes)