Sir Charles Dunstone

Executive Chairman

TalkTalk Group

London, UK

Biography

Sir Charles Dunstone began his career at NEC, selling computers to corporate clients. On transferring to mobile phones, he identified that no one was selling to the individual or small companies. In true entrepreneurial style and with limited capital, he set up Carphone Warehouse in 1989, selling mobile phones from his flat.

Offering impartial advice and unbeatable service, the company rapidly expanded into Europe and floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2000, valued at £1.7 bn.

Carphone Warehouse acquired Opal Telecom and launched TalkTalk in 2003, a residential, fixed line service to compete with BT, allowing customers to talk to each other for free. In 2006 TalkTalk launched the UK’s first free broadband service and became the fastest growing telecoms business and is now a FTSE 250 company and market leader.

Carphone Warehouse and TalkTalk demerged in 2010, forming two separate companies, with Charles chairing both.

In 2014 Carphone Warehouse merged with Dixons Retail, creating FTSE 100 company Dixons Carphone plc, which helps customers navigate the connected world and is Europe's leading specialist electrical & telecoms retailer and services company.

Passionate about supporting young entrepreneurs, Charles is proud to have been Chairman of The Prince’s Trust for six years and Council member for fifteen.

In 2012, Charles was Knighted for services to the telecoms industry and his charitable work. He is currently Chairman of Royal Museums Greenwich & BAR Racing.

Sir Charles Dunstone’s Newsfeed

POWER LIST 2019, BUSINESS LEADERS: John Eckbert, CEO, Five Guys

John Eckbert attributes Five Guys’ success to its simple approach of serving fresh, quality burgers and fries in a clean, friendly environment. The numbers certainly seem to back that philosophy up: it is now a £150m business in the UK... It can be easy to forget that the American chain only launched its first site in the UK seven years ago after the founding Murrell family teamed up with Carphone Warehouse entrepreneur Sir Charles Dunstone on a JV.

Former Euronav CEO Paddy Rodgers to Join Royal Greenwich Museums as Director

“Paddy joins us on the completion of a hugely successful masterplan project,” said Sir Charles Dunstone, Chair of Royal Museums Greenwich Trustees. “With his first class links in the maritime industries, demonstrable communication and leadership skills and experience of environmental impacts, the Museum’s Trustees believe Paddy is the right person to lead the Museum on the next stage of our development..."

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Sir Charles Dunstone’s Background

TalkTalk Group

Executive Chairman

Feb 2017 - Present

TalkTalk Telecom Group plc is a company which provides pay television, telecommunications, Internet access and mobile network services to businesses and consumers in the United Kingdom.

Dixons Carphone

Chairman

Jan 1989 - Apr 2017

Founder and CEO of Carphone Warehouse from 1989 to 2010 and Chairman since 28 January 2010.

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Current Non-Executive Positions

MOD Pizza

Investor

Sep 2015 - Present

London, UK

MOD is the original superfast pizza experience. A pioneering fast-casual concept with artisan-style pizzas and salads that are individually sized, made on demand and ready in minutes.

Five Guys

Co-Owner

Jul 2013 - Present

London, UK

Five Guys Enterprises LLC is an American fast casual restaurant chain which opened its first restaurant in 1986. Their focus is on providing handcrafted hamburgers, hot dogs and French fries.

Nutmeg

Shareholder

Jan 2012 - Present

London, UK

Nutmeg is an online investment management service; building and managing intelligent portfolios, ISAs and Pensions with no hidden charges at a low fee.

Oakley Capital Limited

Investor

Feb 2011 - Present

London, UK

Oakley Capital, with headquarters in London, is a mid-market private equity investor with over €750m under management, investing primarily in Western Europe.

Jensen International Automotive

Shareholder

Jun 2010 - Present

London, UK

Jensen Interceptor specialists and home of the Interceptor R.

Funding Circle

Investor

Apr 2010 - Present

London, UK

Funding Circle is a peer-to-peer lending marketplace that allows investors to lend money to small and medium sized businesses.

Allied Developments Limited

Shareholder and Director

Jan 2007 - Present

London, UK

Allied Developments create innovative and sought after properties, for commercial and residential developments, primarily near the south coast of England.

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Previous Non-Executive Positions

Clareville Capital

Non-Executive Director

London, UK

Clareville Capital Partners LLP is a privately-owned hedge fund sponsor. They provide services to sovereign governments, investment banks, private banks, family offices, endowments, corporate pension funds, insurance companies, leading fund of fund organizations and private investors.

Daily Mail and General Trust PLC

Non-Executive Director

Mar 2001 - Jan 2012

London, UK

Daily Mail and General Trust plc manages a multinational portfolio of companies with revenues of almost £2 billion. These companies provide a diverse range of businesses and consumers with information, analysis, insight, news and entertainment.

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Philanthropy

Royal Museums Greenwich

Chairman

Nov 2013 - Present

London, UK

Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) comprises the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory and the Queen’s House. Together they work to illustrate the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars, and their relationship with people.

The Prince's Trust Enterprise Fellowship

Chairman

Jan 2009 - Present

London, UK

A collective of UK’s leading entrepreneurs, working to enable The Prince's Trust to reach more young people by passing on their experience and expertise and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

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