Tributes to plumber who sold company he founded to British Gas for £30m

Tributes have been paid to a popular plumber who sold his business to British Gas for 30 million five decades after starting out as a sole trader running a business from his dining table.

Phil Jones who founded PH Jones, a central heating company which employed 850 people, died suddenly on Christmas Day. He was 74.

Mr Jones launched the firm in Malpas, near Whitchurch, with his wife Brenda back in 1963 and sold it to British Gas in May 2011.

He also founded Beech House Nursing Home, in Wollerton, near Market Drayton, opening the business in 1990 and going on to sell it in 2005.

Today his daughter Wendy Raichura described her father as an inspirational man who adored his three children and 12 grandchildren.

She said: My dad was very bright and full of fun and mischief. He was always disruptive especially at the dinner table when playing with his grandchildren who he loved to bits.

He was always laughing and was never stressed and was a great entrepreneur.

He really was very intelligent and very inspirational.

He did so well in life but his real talent was that could reach out and connect with everyone. Whether it was children, teenagers, humble people or lords and ladies, he could connect with them all.

Mr Joness two sons Martin and Chris also worked for the family firm and helped the business grow.

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Tributes to plumber who sold company he founded to British Gas for £30m