John Griffin

John Griffin has built Addison Lee from one vehicle into the largest taxi fleets in Europe, with over 2,600 vehicles.

Founded in Battersea in 1975, Addison Lee now carries 10 million passengers a year and couriers more than 40,000 deliveries every month.

The company has just enjoyed a record breaking year, due in no small part to John’s business philosophy of investment in new technology and a strong commitment to customer service. The past 12 months have seen the launch of a hugely successful iPhone app that allows the user to call a taxi at the touch of a button. Android and Blackberry apps are due to launch in 2011.

John is a Fellow of the Prince of Wales Enterprise Fellowship, Chairman of the Private Hire Car Association and President of the Private Hire Board. In recognition of the work he has done promoting young apprenticeships and supporting training of young people, John has also been appointed a Skills Ambassador for London by the Learning and Skills council

Outside of work, John is a keen golfer and supports a number of local schools, charities and youth centres. He is also a member of the Variety Club Golf Society and has sponsored the annual Addison Lee Footballers' Golf Classic at La Manga Golf Club since 1996, raising thousands for good causes.

Named Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009-10, John’s entrepreneurial interests include Heritage Key; a virtual world teaching website, a company that supplies innovative motoring parts to Ford and he is the lead investor in the upcoming music festival, ‘First Days of Freedom,’ aimed at 20,000 school leavers.