Sir Charles Dunstone | Official Profile on The Marque

Sir Charles Dunstone’s Biography

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Sir Charles Dunstone launched his career at electronics company NEC, supplying corporate clients with computers. With the advent of mobile phones, he found that no one was selling to the individual or small companies, so with limited funds and in true entrepreneurial style, he founded Carphone Warehouse in 1989, selling mobile phones from his home.

Offering peerless service and objective advice, the company quickly expanded into Europe and floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2000, valued at £1.7 billion.

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. It 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... Sir Charles Dunstone launched his career at electronics company NEC, supplying corporate clients with computers. With the advent of mobile phones, he found that no one was selling to the individual or small companies, so with limited funds and in true entrepreneurial style, he founded Carphone Warehouse in 1989, selling mobile phones from his home.

Offering peerless service and objective advice, the company quickly expanded into Europe and floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2000, valued at £1.7 billion.

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. It 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. It is the foremost services company and specialist telecoms and electrical retailer in Europe.

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 for his charitable work. He is currently Chairman of Royal Museums Greenwich and BAR Racing. moreless

Sir Charles Dunstone’s Newsfeed

IntraFish

Founder of mobile phone giant Carphone Warehouse throws weight behind three-year-old seafood...

...supplier. Sir Charles Dunstone is mentioned in an article by IntraFish regarding his recent backing of the fish delivery startup Ish Fish.

Sir Charles Dunstone’s Background

TalkTalk Group

Executive Chairman

Feb 2017 - Present

TalkTalk Telecom Group plc provides telecommunications, pay television, mobile network services and internet access to businesses and consumers in the UK.

Dixons Carphone

Chairman

Jan 1989 - Apr 2017

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

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Current Board Positions

MOD Pizza

Investor

Sep 2015 - Present

London, UK

MOD is a groundbreaking pizza experience where individually sized artisan-style pizzas and salads are made on demand, and ready in minutes.

Five Guys

Co-Owner

Jul 2013 - Present

London, UK

Five Guys 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

Headquartered in London, Oakley Capital is a mid-market private equity investor with over €750 million under management. They primarily invest 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 lending marketplace that allows investors to loan money to small and medium sized businesses.

Allied Developments Limited

Shareholder & 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 Board 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 and private investors.

Daily Mail and General Trust PLC

Non-Executive Director

Mar 2001 - Jan 2012

London, UK

DMGT manages a number of companies providing consumers and businesses with gripping analysis, information, insight, news and entertainment.

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Philanthropy

Royal Museums Greenwich

Chairman

Nov 2013 - May 2021

London, UK

Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) – comprised of the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory and the Queen’s House – work together to emphasise the importance of the ocean, ships, time and the stars, and their relationship with people.

The Prince's Trust Enterprise Fellowship

Chairman

Jan 2009 - Present

London, UK

A group of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs assist The Prince's Trust to reach more young people by sharing their experience and expertise with the hope if inspiring the next generation.

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Academic Appointments

Mentore

Mentor

London, UK

Mentore is a bespoke mentoring service that provides businesses with solutions to develop talented employees by placing them with senior mentors to unlock their potential and enhance their performance.