Dunstan has more than 20 years experience in HR. She has experience in delivering complex change projects, leading and developing international teams from roles in a wide range of business sectors were key to her appointment.
She will report directly to chief executive officer Laurence Bain.
Dunstan has previously held senior HR roles at Wincanton, AstraZeneca and Barclays.
"I relish the opportunity of joining Premier Farnell at an extremely exciting time for the organisation," said Dunstan.
"As one of the leading high service distributors of electronic components around the world Premier Farnell is at the heart of innovation and I am looking forward to working with the teams across the world to continue to make it a great place to work and build an environment where our people do their best and provide customers with a great experience."
Dunstan will replace Sandra Campopiano who is leaving the company after six years to take up the HR director role at Thomas Cook group.
Dunstan will join Premier Farnell in September
