founders-file-logo

Sir Charles Dunstone

locationLondon, 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.

InterestsInterests

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Entrepreneurship
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Impact

10,000+

People employed

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3M+

Customers served

9

Early stage investments

9+

Countries Operated In

2400+

Offices worldwide

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2400+

Offices worldwide

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9+

Countries Operated In

9

Early stage investments

4

Sectors operated in

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3

Companies Co-founded

Life Story

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.

1964
1983
1986
1989
2000
2003
2005
2006
2010
2012
2013
2014
2021
2022
2025

mapWorld Map

Saffron Walden, United Kingdom

GB

Charles was born on 21 November 1964 in Saffron Walden, Essex, and grew up in the surrounding region.

presPress

The GuardianThe Guardian

BT considers takeover move for struggling rival TalkTalk

11th June 2025

cd-press image

London Evening StandardLondon Evening Standard

Sir Charles Dunstone back at TalkTalk helm as Harding quits

1st February 2017

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London Evening StandardLondon Evening Standard

Tech billionaire Charles Dunstone on why we should celebrate dyslexia

5th December 2016

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Business InsiderBusiness Insider

Here's how the 25 richest people in UK tech made their money

22nd September 2015

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London Evening StandardLondon Evening Standard

The best connected man in business: Carphone Warehouse billionaire

11th June 2014

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London Evening StandardLondon Evening Standard

Carphone Warehouse's Sir Charles Dunstone keeps getting it right

24th February 2014

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London Evening StandardLondon Evening Standard

Charles Dunstone: why the billionaire mobile mogul is bringing Five Guys burgers to London

14th June 2013

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The TelegraphThe Telegraph

Carphone Warehouse founder Charles Dunstone becomes UK's first digital

9th May 2011

ForbesForbes

Charles Dunstone

27th July 2016

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Financial TimesFinancial Times

Sir Charles Dunstone takes TalkTalk back to basics

1st February 2017

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The TelegraphThe Telegraph

TalkTalk secures emergency lifeline from billionaire founder

12th August 2024

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The TelegraphThe Telegraph

Founder Sir Charles Dunstone prepares to bail out TalkTalk

20th May 2024

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Financial TimesFinancial Times

Charles Dunstone quit museum post over government ‘culture war’

1st May 2021

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The TelegraphThe Telegraph

Carphone Warehouse's Charles Dunstone: the ring of success

7th November 2011

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mediaMedia

    career-milestoneCareer Milestones

    Chairman
    MOD Pizza logo

    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.

    caelndar

    2015 – 2020

    Founder
    freston ventures logo

    Freston Ventures

    A UK investor created by Sir Charles Dunstone providing funding and support to Britain's brightest brands.

    caelndar

    2014 – Present

    Chairman
    Dixon Carphone logo

    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.

    caelndar

    2014 – 2021

    Co-founder
    five guys uk logo

    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.

    caelndar

    2012 – Present

    Founder, Chairman
    talktalk logo

    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.

    caelndar

    2003 – Present

    Co-founder
    carphone warehouse logo

    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

    caelndar

    1989 – 2021

    Sales Personnel
    NEC logo

    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.

    caelndar

    1984 – 1989

    Sales Person

    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.

    caelndar

    1983 – 1984

    investmentEarly Stage Investments

    advisory
    Advisory & Mentoring
    rmg logo

    Royal Museums Greenwich

    Trustee, Chair

    calender-icon2013 – 2021

    location-iconUK

    rmg logo

    Royal Museums Greenwich

    A leading maritime museum group, spanning the National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark and Queen’s House.

    calender-icon2013 – 2021

    location-iconUK

    Learn moreexternal-link-icon
    123

    Youview TV Ltd

    Non‑Executive Director

    calender-icon2013 – 2014

    location-iconUK

    123

    Youview TV Ltd

    A UK-based television platform providing access to free-to-air digital television channels and on-demand content.

    calender-icon2013 – 2014

    location-iconUK

    123

    Jensen International Automotive Ltd

    Director

    calender-icon2010 – 2013

    location-iconUK

    123

    Jensen International Automotive Ltd

    A UK-based automotive distribution and commercial vehicle company seeking growth in niche transport markets.

    calender-icon2010 – 2013

    location-iconUK

    Clareville Capital Partners LLP

    Board Member

    calender-icon2006 – Present

    location-iconUK

    Clareville Capital Partners LLP

    A London-based private investment partnership focused on M&A advisory and long-term equity investments.

    calender-icon2006 – Present

    location-iconUK

    Clareville Capital Ltd

    Board Member

    calender-icon2005 – Present

    location-iconUK

    Clareville Capital Ltd

    The holding company aligned with Clareville Capital’s investment strategies and fund management activities.

    calender-icon2005 – Present

    location-iconUK

    Allied Developments M/CR Limited

    Director

    calender-icon2005 – 2023

    location-iconEngland

    Allied Developments M/CR Limited

    A property development company associated with residential and mixed-use projects.

    calender-icon2005 – 2023

    location-iconEngland

    Independent Media Distribution PLC (IMD)

    Non-Executive Director

    calender-icon2002 – 2011

    location-iconUK

    Independent Media Distribution PLC (IMD)

    Independent Media Distribution PLC (IMD) is a media logistics company that distributes advertising content.

    calender-icon2002 – 2011

    location-iconUK

    123

    Chemex International PLC

    Board Member

    calender-icon2002

    location-iconUK

    123

    Chemex International PLC

    An industrial chemicals and cleaning products manufacturer listed on the London Stock Exchange.

    calender-icon2002

    location-iconUK

    123

    Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT)

    Non-Executive Director

    calender-icon2001 – 2012

    location-iconUK

    123

    Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT)

    A British media group that owns the Daily Mail and a portfolio of publishing, information and events businesses.

    calender-icon2001 – 2012

    location-iconUK

    Bank of Scotland Logo

    Bank of Scotland PLC

    Board Member

    calender-icon2001 – 2008

    location-iconUK

    Bank of Scotland Logo

    Bank of Scotland PLC

    One of the UK’s major retail and commercial banks, part of the Lloyds Banking Group.

    calender-icon2001 – 2008

    location-iconUK

    HBOS logo

    HBOS PLC

    Non-Executive Director

    calender-icon2001 – 2008

    location-iconUK

    HBOS logo

    HBOS PLC

    A British banking and insurance company, one of the largest in the UK before its acquisition by Lloyds Bank.

    calender-icon2001 – 2008

    location-iconUK

    123

    The Prince's Trust

    Trustee, Chairman

    calender-icon2000 – 2015

    location-iconUK

    123

    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.

    calender-icon2000 – 2015

    location-iconUK

    Learn moreexternal-link-icon
    123

    Halifax Group Ltd

    Non-Executive Director

    calender-icon2000 – 2001

    location-iconUK

    123

    Halifax Group Ltd

    A home finance and insurance provider, later merged into HBOS and subsequently Lloyds Banking Group.

    calender-icon2000 – 2001

    location-iconUK

    philanthropy-iconPhilanthropy

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