A BUILDER who went bankrupt is now a billionaire just seven years later.
Bob Bull, 45, lost everything in 2016 when his caravan park business fell apart following a dispute with the co-owner.
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The businessman, from Southampton, grew up knowing the industry after his self-made millionaire dad and grandad had introduced him to it.
The family set up a park in 1945 before the banking crisis struck in 1990 – leading to their downfall.
Deciding to build his own empire, Bob and a pal created the second-largest group of caravans in the country before it all came crashing down.
Speaking to The Times from his mansion Bob said: “I went bankrupt in 2016.
“My business partner and I had created the second-largest group of caravan parks in the UK, but we couldn’t agree a way forward.
“It was soul-destroying. I didn’t want to talk to anyone.
“I’d borrowed money off people I’d known since childhood and lost it.”
Admitting there was a “huge amount of shame” behind his loss, Bob borrowed a whopping £50million to try and get himself out of his rut.
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And just two years later he was able to buy another caravan park.
He was then granted planning permission to build bungalows immediately – which he admits made him cry happy tears.
Bob’s business, which is the UK’s largest bungalow provider, is now worth £4billion.
He said: “My dad came out of semi-retirement to help me borrow £9.7 million and, within a year, the business was worth £100 million.
“By the end of 2018 I’d paid back millions to everyone who’d lost money.
“It was the right thing to do. I bought a caravan park and we got planning permission to build new bungalows immediately.
“That made me cry. At the end of the following year an investment group loaned me £40 million.
“We’re now the UK’s largest bungalow provider — the business is worth £4 billion.
“We’re as big as the largest national housebuilder.”
Bob said being able to provide stability for his two sons and fiancé Sara Nilsen, 30, has made him extremely grateful.
He added: “I’ve got some nice watches and I love cars and travel. I’m grateful, but I don’t flash it about.
“Now I want to build a bigger family with Sara, who I love with all my heart and soul.”
Sara said: “Bob is a genuinely humble person, he’s not jealous of anyone and he doesn’t brag — I am so proud of him.”
