Sir Charles Dunstone
London, United Kingdom
Mobile and telecoms pioneer who transformed £6k and a dream into Europe's phone retail giant, disrupted telecom with TalkTalk, and now fuels tomorrow's breakthrough founders.
Interests
Impact
10,000+
People employed
3M+
Customers served
2400+
Offices worldwide
9+
Countries Operated In
9
Early stage investments
4
Sectors operated in
3
Companies Co-founded
Born in Essex
Born on 21 November in Saffron Walden, he was raised in a household shaped by his father’s executive role at BP and educated at Uppingham School.
World Map
Saffron Walden, United Kingdom
GB
Charles was born on 21 November 1964 in Saffron Walden, Essex, and grew up in the surrounding region.
Press
The Guardian
BT considers takeover move for struggling rival TalkTalk
11th June 2025
London Evening Standard
Sir Charles Dunstone back at TalkTalk helm as Harding quits
1st February 2017
London Evening Standard
Tech billionaire Charles Dunstone on why we should celebrate dyslexia
5th December 2016
Business Insider
Here's how the 25 richest people in UK tech made their money
22nd September 2015
London Evening Standard
The best connected man in business: Carphone Warehouse billionaire
11th June 2014
London Evening Standard
Carphone Warehouse's Sir Charles Dunstone keeps getting it right
24th February 2014
London Evening Standard
Charles Dunstone: why the billionaire mobile mogul is bringing Five Guys burgers to London
14th June 2013
The Telegraph
Carphone Warehouse founder Charles Dunstone becomes UK's first digital
9th May 2011
Forbes
Charles Dunstone
27th July 2016
Financial Times
Sir Charles Dunstone takes TalkTalk back to basics
1st February 2017
The Telegraph
TalkTalk secures emergency lifeline from billionaire founder
12th August 2024
The Telegraph
Founder Sir Charles Dunstone prepares to bail out TalkTalk
20th May 2024
Financial Times
Charles Dunstone quit museum post over government ‘culture war’
1st May 2021
The Telegraph
Carphone Warehouse's Charles Dunstone: the ring of success
7th November 2011
Media
Career Milestones
MOD Pizza UK
The British arm of the fast-casual US pizza chain, launched as a joint venture with Charles Dunstone to bring the brand to the UK market.
2015 – 2020
Freston Ventures
A UK investor created by Sir Charles Dunstone providing funding and support to Britain's brightest brands.
2014 – Present
Dixons Carphone
Formed in 2014 through the merger of Carphone Warehouse and Dixons Retail, this company became a major force in UK electronics and telecom retail. The group rebranded as Currys plc in 2021.
2014 – 2021
Five Guys UK JV
A roll-out of the iconic US burger chain across the UK and Europe, now with 150+ sites and one of the strongest better-burger footprints in the region.
2012 – Present
TalkTalk
Launched in 2003 as a Carphone Warehouse spin-off, TalkTalk became one of the UK’s biggest broadband and telecom providers. It was demerged as a standalone company in 2010 and is now headquartered in Salford.
2003 – Present
Carphone Warehouse
Founded in 1989, Carphone Warehouse grew into Europe’s largest independent mobile phone retailer. After merging with Dixons in 2014, the brand phased out high-street stores and now exists as an online arm of Currys
1989 – 2021
NEC Corporation
A Japanese tech multinational known for its early innovations in computing and telecoms. During the 1980s, it played a key role in bringing business-grade PCs and mobile devices to European markets.
1984 – 1989
Torch Computers Ltd
A niche hardware company near Cambridge, best known for building add-ons and processor upgrades for the BBC Micro during the early 1980s computing boom.
1983 – 1984
Early Stage Investments
Royal Museums Greenwich
2013 – 2021
UK
Royal Museums Greenwich
A leading maritime museum group, spanning the National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark and Queen’s House.
2013 – 2021
UK
Youview TV Ltd
2013 – 2014
UK
Youview TV Ltd
A UK-based television platform providing access to free-to-air digital television channels and on-demand content.
2013 – 2014
UK
Jensen International Automotive Ltd
2010 – 2013
UK
Jensen International Automotive Ltd
A UK-based automotive distribution and commercial vehicle company seeking growth in niche transport markets.
2010 – 2013
UK
Clareville Capital Partners LLP
2006 – Present
UK
Clareville Capital Partners LLP
A London-based private investment partnership focused on M&A advisory and long-term equity investments.
2006 – Present
UK
Clareville Capital Ltd
2005 – Present
UK
Clareville Capital Ltd
The holding company aligned with Clareville Capital’s investment strategies and fund management activities.
2005 – Present
UK
Allied Developments M/CR Limited
2005 – 2023
England
Allied Developments M/CR Limited
A property development company associated with residential and mixed-use projects.
2005 – 2023
England
Independent Media Distribution PLC (IMD)
2002 – 2011
UK
Independent Media Distribution PLC (IMD)
Independent Media Distribution PLC (IMD) is a media logistics company that distributes advertising content.
2002 – 2011
UK
Chemex International PLC
2002
UK
Chemex International PLC
An industrial chemicals and cleaning products manufacturer listed on the London Stock Exchange.
2002
UK
Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT)
2001 – 2012
UK
Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT)
A British media group that owns the Daily Mail and a portfolio of publishing, information and events businesses.
2001 – 2012
UK
Bank of Scotland PLC
2001 – 2008
UK
Bank of Scotland PLC
One of the UK’s major retail and commercial banks, part of the Lloyds Banking Group.
2001 – 2008
UK
HBOS PLC
2001 – 2008
UK
HBOS PLC
A British banking and insurance company, one of the largest in the UK before its acquisition by Lloyds Bank.
2001 – 2008
UK
The Prince's Trust
2000 – 2015
UK
The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust is a UK youth charity that helps young people aged 11-30 get into jobs, education and training.
2000 – 2015
UK
Halifax Group Ltd
2000 – 2001
UK
Halifax Group Ltd
A home finance and insurance provider, later merged into HBOS and subsequently Lloyds Banking Group.
2000 – 2001
UK
Philanthropy
Founders Brands Limited
180 Strand, 2 Arundel Street, London,
United Kingdom, WC2R 3DA
Company number: 15716753
VAT number: 487 5152 58
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