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Charles Dunstone
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- Keynote Speakers
Charles Dunstone Biography
Topics:
- Business
- Entrepreneurs
- Sales/Customer Service
Charles Dunstone is a charismatic, motivational and interesting business speaker, a perfect guest for any business orientated engagement.
One of the Most Powerful People in the UK
Charles is Managing Director and Founder of the phenomenally successful company, The Carphone Warehouse, Charles is widely respected and admired as one of the UK's most dynamic entrepreneurs. A charismatic and engaging figure, he presides over the UK's leading independent communications specialist retailer; a company he has built up from scratch in less than ten years. An Observer survey rated him as the 124th most powerful person in the UK.
In the Beginning
When Dunstone left school he had planned to study business at Liverpool University. However, during a year off he got a job as a computer salesman, first with Torch Computers in Cambridge and then with NEC, the Japanese communications giant. At NEC, Charles moved from computers into the mobile communications division.
While working there Dunstone identified the huge growth potential among small and medium-sized businesses which were being poorly served by the mobile communications industry. In 1989 he seized his opportunity, setting up the Carphone Warehouse with just £6,000. Charles floated the company on the London Stock Exchange, valuing it at £1.7 billion based on a 200p price per share. The co-founder likes to be seen as a man who does things differently. Carphone Warehouse prides itself on offering simple, impartial advice.
Dunstone is known for his modesty and does admit that the Carphone Warehouse concept was not startlingly original since he did not invent some great new product. But he did take the simple idea of selling phones with a dedication to customer service and implemented it with such great style, passion and commitment that he is now known as one of the most outstanding entrepreneurs in Europe.
Away from Carphone Warehouse
Prior to 1989, Dunstone worked for NEC for four years as a sales manager. Additionally he has been Deputy Chairman and Non Executive Director of HBOS PLC. Further positions included Independent Non-Executive Director of Daily Mail & General Trust PLC and member of the audit committee.
Charles has been Non-Executive Director of Halifax PLC since February 2000 and Clareville Capital Partners LLP. He served as a Director at Kudu Fund until 2007.
Currently Charles serves as a Non-Executive Director of Independent Media Distribution PLC and as a member of The Prince's Trust Trading Council.
Motivational and Key Note Speaking
Charles was a keynote speaker at the prestigious Annual IoD Convention at the Royal Albert Hall and spoke at the Annual KPMG ProfitAbility Club event to more than 1,000 directors of owner managed businesses. Since then he has frequently addressed audiences on what it takes to be a leading player in such a competitive field as retail telecommunications.
Charles has great insight into how the telecommunications market will progress into the twenty-first century and how customer service can make the difference in a competitive environment.
For further information or to book Charles Dunstone, call us on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Charles Dunstone News
A selection of relevant news related to Charles Dunstone and Business stories. For more information on Charles Dunstone or details as to how to book Charles Dunstone for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Carphone Warehouse chief Charles Dunstone takes customer service to new level
8th June 2009Customer service has always been high on the agenda for Charles Dunstone, CEO of Carphone Warehouse. But he has now implemented a new initiative to pay staff according to customer rating in order to boost sales
8th June 2009Customer service has always been high on the agenda for Charles Dunstone, CEO of Carphone Warehouse. But he has now implemented a new initiative to pay staff according to customer rating in order to boost sales
CEO blogging hots up
25th February 2008Corporate blogging is still in its infancy in the UK. However, it is thought likely that it will become as popular as it is in the US. General Motors, Dell and Benetton, all operate blogs where employees and consumers interact
25th February 2008Corporate blogging is still in its infancy in the UK. However, it is thought likely that it will become as popular as it is in the US. General Motors, Dell and Benetton, all operate blogs where employees and consumers interact
The Sunday Times Business Person of Year - The Finalists
23rd December 2009The Sunday Times has announced its list of contenders for their annual Business Person of the Year award. The finalists have shown true grit and determination - many have hauled their businesses through a rather perilous time unscathed and are survivors in the business world. The contenders are Angela Ahrendts (pictured left), Ross Brawn, Frank Chapman, Richard Cousins, Founders of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone and Evan Williams, Steve Jobs, Sam Laidlaw, Alan Mulally, Kate Swann, and John Varley.
23rd December 2009The Sunday Times has announced its list of contenders for their annual Business Person of the Year award. The finalists have shown true grit and determination - many have hauled their businesses through a rather perilous time unscathed and are survivors in the business world. The contenders are Angela Ahrendts (pictured left), Ross Brawn, Frank Chapman, Richard Cousins, Founders of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone and Evan Williams, Steve Jobs, Sam Laidlaw, Alan Mulally, Kate Swann, and John Varley.
BSkyB is Britain's most admired company 2009
2nd December 2009Media firm BSkyB landed the top spot in Management Today's Britain's Most Admired Companies awards on monday night. Led by CEO Jeremy Darroch, the organisation is one of the youngest to be handed the accolade, topping each of the nine criteria to secure the award. Matthew Gwyther, editor of Management Today said: 'It (BSkyB) is barely more than a stripling upstart amongst the great names of UK business, some of which have been around for centuries in one form or another. It has shown that a class-leading product, well marketed and slickly delivered, can continue to grow and prosper even in the most challenging circumstances.' Tesco and Johnson Mathey took the second and third slots respectively, with Cadbury, GlaxoSmithKline and Rolls-Royce trailing at numbers four, five and six.
2nd December 2009Media firm BSkyB landed the top spot in Management Today's Britain's Most Admired Companies awards on monday night. Led by CEO Jeremy Darroch, the organisation is one of the youngest to be handed the accolade, topping each of the nine criteria to secure the award. Matthew Gwyther, editor of Management Today said: 'It (BSkyB) is barely more than a stripling upstart amongst the great names of UK business, some of which have been around for centuries in one form or another. It has shown that a class-leading product, well marketed and slickly delivered, can continue to grow and prosper even in the most challenging circumstances.' Tesco and Johnson Mathey took the second and third slots respectively, with Cadbury, GlaxoSmithKline and Rolls-Royce trailing at numbers four, five and six.
Heavyweight keynote speakers are expected at the CBI Conference today including Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Dominique Strauss-Kahn & Stuart Rose to name but a few
23rd November 2009Heavyweight keynote speakers are expected to address the CBI conference in London today. Talking to the most influential and important of business audiences will be our political leaders Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg, business chiefs such as Sir Stuart Rose and Stephen Hester, as well as Lord Adair Turner, BBC Economics Editor Stephanie Flaunders and the CBI's Director-General Richard Lambert. Chairing the conference will be CBI's President, the recently appointed Helen Alexander, former chief executive at The Economist and the first woman in the role.
23rd November 2009Heavyweight keynote speakers are expected to address the CBI conference in London today. Talking to the most influential and important of business audiences will be our political leaders Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg, business chiefs such as Sir Stuart Rose and Stephen Hester, as well as Lord Adair Turner, BBC Economics Editor Stephanie Flaunders and the CBI's Director-General Richard Lambert. Chairing the conference will be CBI's President, the recently appointed Helen Alexander, former chief executive at The Economist and the first woman in the role.
Lessons learnt from Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple - one of the greatest speakers ever
19th November 2009The Times is featuring extracts from Simon Maier and Jerremy Kourdi's book 'The 100: Insights and lessons from 100 of the greatest speeches ever delivered'. Read The Times article on lessons learnt from one of the world's best speakers - Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple and former chief executive officer of Pixar Animation Studios.
19th November 2009The Times is featuring extracts from Simon Maier and Jerremy Kourdi's book 'The 100: Insights and lessons from 100 of the greatest speeches ever delivered'. Read The Times article on lessons learnt from one of the world's best speakers - Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple and former chief executive officer of Pixar Animation Studios.
WHO MOVED MY GURU?
19th December 2008The economy may be tanking, but not Malcolm Gladwell. His new book, “Outliers,” a characteristically snappy look at what made the Beatles, Bill Gates and other superstars so successful, enters the hardcover nonfiction list at No. 1
19th December 2008The economy may be tanking, but not Malcolm Gladwell. His new book, “Outliers,” a characteristically snappy look at what made the Beatles, Bill Gates and other superstars so successful, enters the hardcover nonfiction list at No. 1
Diageo wins 'Britain's Most Admired Company 2008' award
11th December 2008Drinks major Diageo has won the coveted title of Britain's Most Admired Company 2008 in MT's annual poll. At the awards ceremony last night at Claridge's, Diageo’s CEO Paul Walsh accepted the award from Lord Heseltine, chairman of Haymarket Media...
11th December 2008Drinks major Diageo has won the coveted title of Britain's Most Admired Company 2008 in MT's annual poll. At the awards ceremony last night at Claridge's, Diageo’s CEO Paul Walsh accepted the award from Lord Heseltine, chairman of Haymarket Media...
Matching what is possible with what is needed - Rowan Gibson's latest online column
30th October 2009Rowan Gibson is a global business strategist, a bestselling author and an expert on radical innovation. He teaches organisations how to seize new growth opportunities, create new markets and even transform industries by recalibrating their whole organisational system around the paradigm of innovation. He is also one of world’s most in-demand business speakers. Rowan has just published his latest online column about how companies need to drive innovation from both the technological side of the organisation and the customer side. To read Rowan's thoughts, just click on the title.
30th October 2009Rowan Gibson is a global business strategist, a bestselling author and an expert on radical innovation. He teaches organisations how to seize new growth opportunities, create new markets and even transform industries by recalibrating their whole organisational system around the paradigm of innovation. He is also one of world’s most in-demand business speakers. Rowan has just published his latest online column about how companies need to drive innovation from both the technological side of the organisation and the customer side. To read Rowan's thoughts, just click on the title.
Stephen Fry pleased as punch with new appointment
16th August 2010It has been announced that Stephen Fry has been appointed to join the board at Norwich City football club and he joins a league of writers, chefs, and business leaders such as Theo Paphitis and Karren Brady who are well-acquainted with the world of business and football
16th August 2010It has been announced that Stephen Fry has been appointed to join the board at Norwich City football club and he joins a league of writers, chefs, and business leaders such as Theo Paphitis and Karren Brady who are well-acquainted with the world of business and football
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