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Shock exit of Carphone co-founder Shock exit of Carphone co-founder
(40 minutes later)
David Ross, co-founder of Carphone Warehouse and holder of 19.4% of its shares, has resigned as a director in a scandal over the use of his shares.David Ross, co-founder of Carphone Warehouse and holder of 19.4% of its shares, has resigned as a director in a scandal over the use of his shares.
Mr Ross used 136 million of his 177 million shares as security against personal loans without telling anyone in the company.Mr Ross used 136 million of his 177 million shares as security against personal loans without telling anyone in the company.
Mr Ross is also on the board of the organising committee for London 2012.Mr Ross is also on the board of the organising committee for London 2012.
He stressed that he had no intention of selling the shares and none of the loans was in default.He stressed that he had no intention of selling the shares and none of the loans was in default.
At Friday's closing price, Mr Ross's stake in Carphone was worth just under £165m.At Friday's closing price, Mr Ross's stake in Carphone was worth just under £165m.
He was London Mayor Boris Johnson's appointment to the board of London 2012, charged with making sure that the games did not go over budget.He was London Mayor Boris Johnson's appointment to the board of London 2012, charged with making sure that the games did not go over budget.
Investors will see this morning's announcement as raising great uncertainties about the future ownership of a fifth of the company Robert Peston, BBC business editor Read Robert Peston's blogCheck Carphone Warehouse sharesCheck Big Yellow Group sharesInvestors will see this morning's announcement as raising great uncertainties about the future ownership of a fifth of the company Robert Peston, BBC business editor Read Robert Peston's blogCheck Carphone Warehouse sharesCheck Big Yellow Group shares
Mr Ross also used his £24m shareholding in self-storage company Big Yellow Group as security for personal loans without first notifying the company.Mr Ross also used his £24m shareholding in self-storage company Big Yellow Group as security for personal loans without first notifying the company.
Big Yellow Group said that Mr Ross, who is a director of the company, had only just informed the firm.Big Yellow Group said that Mr Ross, who is a director of the company, had only just informed the firm.
It added that there was no indication that he would resign from his post.It added that there was no indication that he would resign from his post.
Mr Ross is also a director of National Express and ITIS, a traffic information provider.Mr Ross is also a director of National Express and ITIS, a traffic information provider.
He is a member of the family that started the Ross frozen fish brand, based in Grimsby.
'Oversight''Oversight'
Carphone Warehouse chief executive Charles Dunstone said the resignation was a "great personal sadness". The two were at school together.Carphone Warehouse chief executive Charles Dunstone said the resignation was a "great personal sadness". The two were at school together.
He said the incident was "probably an oversight or a misunderstanding of what needed to be done".He said the incident was "probably an oversight or a misunderstanding of what needed to be done".
Stock exchange rules say that if a director uses his shares in this way, the company has to make an official announcement.Stock exchange rules say that if a director uses his shares in this way, the company has to make an official announcement.
The company made such announcements in 2002 and 2003, when Mr Ross used some of his shares as security for personal loans.The company made such announcements in 2002 and 2003, when Mr Ross used some of his shares as security for personal loans.
Mr Ross and Mr Dunstone are by far the biggest shareholders in Carphone Warehouse, with 52% between them.Mr Ross and Mr Dunstone are by far the biggest shareholders in Carphone Warehouse, with 52% between them.
No other shareholder or fund has more than 4%.No other shareholder or fund has more than 4%.
BBC business editor Robert Peston said that the announcement would raise uncertainties about the future ownership of one fifth of the company.BBC business editor Robert Peston said that the announcement would raise uncertainties about the future ownership of one fifth of the company.
Carphone Warehouse and Big Yellow Group shares both fell more than 4% in early trading.Carphone Warehouse and Big Yellow Group shares both fell more than 4% in early trading.