Tarsem Dhaliwal, CEO of Iceland Foods, awarded OBE in New Year’s Honours List
Tarsem Dhaliwal, the Chief Executive Officer of Iceland Foods, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2024 New Year’s Honours List.
The accolade recognises his outstanding contributions to the Welsh economy, retail sector, and charitable causes.
Born in India in 1963, Dhaliwal moved to the UK in 1966 and grew up in Warrington, where he attended Woolston Comprehensive School. His journey in retail began by helping his father run a market stall before pursuing business studies at Kelsterton College in Connah’s Quay.
Dhaliwal joined Iceland in 1985 as a trainee accountant and rapidly advanced within the company, becoming Group CEO in 2018. Under his leadership, Iceland has flourished, with an annual turnover approaching £4 billion, a workforce of 30,000 employees, and a network of around 1,000 stores across the UK.
Dhaliwal has played a pivotal role in some of Iceland’s most significant milestones. In 2020, he and Iceland’s founder, Sir Malcolm Walker, spearheaded the £108.5 million acquisition of Brait SE’s stake in the company, returning it to full British ownership.
He also oversaw one of the UK’s most remarkable corporate turnarounds. After rejoining Iceland in 2005, Dhaliwal helped transform the business from a loss-making operation into a highly profitable one, culminating in a £1.55 billion management buyout in 2012.
Dhaliwal is known for his forward-thinking leadership, balancing long-term strategy with an unwavering commitment to customers, employees, and the environment. He has championed Iceland’s “Doing It Right” philosophy, focusing on sustainability, community support, and food quality.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Dhaliwal is a trustee of the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation, which has donated over £30 million to causes including dementia research, environmental initiatives, and children’s wellbeing. He recently led campaigns supporting the UK Sepsis Trust and Prostate Cancer UK, raising awareness and funding for these critical issues.
Despite his success, Dhaliwal has remained connected to his Warrington roots. In 2023, he returned to the area to open a distribution centre at Omega and reflected on the significance of his upbringing, saying, “Being here is important to me, being brought up in Warrington. My mum and sisters still live here.”
Recognition in the Honours List
The New Year’s Honours List celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to their fields and communities.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said, “Each and every day, ordinary people go out and do extraordinary things for their communities. They represent the very best of the UK.”
Dhaliwal’s recognition highlights his lifelong dedication to retail innovation, economic development and philanthropy, marking him as an exemplary leader in the UK’s business and charitable sectors.
