Lord Kalms of Edgware

President

Lord Kalms of Edgware created Dixons Retail from a one store family business into one of Europe's leading retailers in a career spanning more than half a century.

Lord Kalms was Chief Executive until 1971 when he became Chairman. In 1996 he was awarded a knighthood in recognition of his services to the electrical retailing industry. He stepped down as Chairman in 2002 and was appointed President of the Group. He was awarded a Life Peerage in 2004.

Lord Kalms is founder and sponsor of Dixons Bradford City Technology College and a former visiting professor of the University of North London.

Lord Kalms has served as Chairman, King's College Healthcare NHS Trust; non-executive Director of British Gas plc; member of the Funding Agency for Schools; Director and Treasurer of the Centre for Policy Studies; Governor of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research; Director of Business for Sterling; Trustee of Industry in Education Ltd and Trustee of The Economic Education Trust. Lord Kalms was Treasurer of The Conservative Party from November 2001 to June 2003.