Lord Andrew Parker is a highly sought-after keynote speaker on topics such as risk management, crisis management, leadership and security due to his extensive and distinguished career spanning both the highest levels of national security and royal service. His background includes serving as the Director General of MI5, the United Kingdom's domestic counter-intelligence and security agency, and as the Lord Chamberlain of the Household, the most senior officer of the Royal Household.
During his time at MI5, Lord Parker demonstrated exceptional leadership in some of the most challenging and high-pressure situations imaginable. He played a key role in the response to the 7th July 2005 London Bombings and the 2006 Transatlantic Aircraft Plot, which were pivotal moments in the UK's fight against terrorism. His ability to manage and mitigate risks, oversee complex operations and make critical decisions under pressure made him a highly effective leader in national security. As the Director General of MI5 from 2013 to 2020, Lord Parker oversaw efforts to counter a wide range of threats, including far-right and far-left terrorism and challenges posed by state actors such as Russia.
Transitioning from national security to royal service, Lord Parker was appointed as the Lord Chamberlain of the Household in 2021. In this role, he managed all departments providing advice to the Sovereign, and participated in key royal events such as the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of King Charles III and Camilla. His involvement in these historic ceremonies, coupled with his leadership in managing the Royal Household, underscores his ability to handle complex and sensitive situations with the utmost discretion and effectiveness. In recognition of his decorated career, Lord Parker was made a Life Peer, taking on the title of The Right Honourable Lord Parker of Minsmere, and honours of Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath and Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order.
Lord Parker's deep understanding of risk and crisis management, honed through decades of service in MI5 and the Royal Household, coupled with his leadership experience, makes him an ideal keynote speaker. His insights are not just theoretical but are drawn from real-world experiences at the highest levels of British public life, offering invaluable lessons in leadership, security and the management of complex risks.