[1] He was educated at Alleyn's School before gaining admission to King's College London, where he gained first a BSc degree in basic medical sciences with pharmacology in 1985 and then an MBBS medical degree (with Distinction in Surgery) in 1988.

Subsequently, he was awarded a PhD by Imperial College London in 1998, with his thesis titled "Tissue factor, thrombin generation and cancer".

[4] His father was a pioneer in the use of low-molecular weight heparin therapy,[5] and he followed in his footsteps as a surgeon and medical researcher.

[14][15][16] Kakkar has been noted for his work promoting British business as an ambassador for the United Kingdom.

[19] On St George's Day 2024, he was appointed Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter (KG).