Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Politics & business: Carphone Warehouse founder gets the call

 

Nigel Morris
Friday 15 June 2012 22:04 EDT
Comments
Carphone Warehouse founder Charles Dunstone has been knighted
Carphone Warehouse founder Charles Dunstone has been knighted (PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A leading member of the "Chipping Norton set", which also includes David Cameron and Rebekah Brooks, is today knighted.

Charles Dunstone co-founded the Carphone Warehouse 22 years ago with £6,000 of his savings and saw it grow into one of the country's largest mobile phone retailers. Today he has an estimated personal fortune of £860m and is among Britain's richest 100 people.

Three MPs are also knighted: the Conservative Tony Baldry, who was a minister under Margaret Thatcher and John Major; former Liberal Democrat frontbencher Malcolm Bruce; and Tony Cunningham, a former Labour whip.

A knighthood also goes to the former Scottish National Party MP George Reid, who retired as the presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament in 2007.

One of the most senior officials at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Helen Edwards, is created Companion of the Order of the Bath. Originally a social worker, she joined the Home Office in 2002. She was chief executive of the National Offender Management Service before becomming director general for criminal justice at the MoJ. The same honour is awarded to Richard Hatfield, director general, international, strategy and environment at the Department for Transport. Peter Riddell, former Times political commentator, now director of the Institute of Government, is appointed OBE.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in