Rt Hon Lord Andrew Parker

The Right Honourable Lord Parker of Minsmere, otherwise known as Andrew Parker, has served a distinguished career in which he was honoured to hold two of the most sensitive and complex leadership roles in the British public sector. Renowned for his three-decade-long career in national security, Andrew is best known for being the former Director General of MI5. More recently, Andrew was appointed as the Lord Chamberlain of the Household, contributing to Royal ceremonial procedures as a senior officer of the Royal household. Now hired as a keynote speaker, Andrew shares his in-depth knowledge of crisis management, risk and transformational leadership.

Joining the Security Service in 1983, Andrew served a decorated career ensuring the British public was protected against threats. Following being seconded to HM Customs and Excise as Director of Intelligence, Andrew was honoured to be appointed as the Director of International Terrorism for MI5. In this role, Andrew led pivotal responses to terror threats and acts of terrorism – renowned for leading the Security Service response to the 7^th of July 2005 London Bombings and the 2006 Transatlantic Aircraft Plot. Andrew was promoted to Deputy Director General of MI5 in 2007, demonstrating his adeptness at crisis and risk management. By 2013, Andrew began his duties as the Director General of the MI5, working on issues such as far-right and far-left terrorism, along with Russian disputes. 

Retiring from the MI5 in 2020, Andrew was created a Crossbench Life Peer in the Special Honours. With his new honour, Andrew received the title of The Right Honourable Lord Parker of Minsmere, of Minsmere in the County of Suffolk. Just a year later, it was announced that Andrew would be taking on the role of Lord Chamberlain of the Household, succeeding Earl Peel. As the Lord Chamberlain of the Household, Andrew holds the position of the most senior officer of the Royal Household, supervising all departments that provide advice to the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. As part of this role, Andrew has participated in significant Royal events – such as performing the ceremonial breaking of the Wand of Office during Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral and proceedings at King Charles III and Camilla’s Coronation. Following three decorated years as the Lord Chamberlain of the Household, Andrew announced that he would step down from the role at the end of 2024.

With such a distinguished career in his name, it is no surprise that Andrew Parker has received honours such as Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. Having also been made a member of the Privy Council, Andrew is now sought as a keynote speaker for corporate and public speaking engagements, sharing how he developed closer domestic and international partnerships, modernised working methods and responded to rapid advances in technology in his role as the Director General of MI5. When hired as a speaker, Andrew reflects on the necessity of building excellent teams and demonstrating transformational leadership, whilst also being understanding of diversity. Also holding the title of Distinguished Fellow of the Royal United Services Institute, Andrew is renowned for his track record in leadership coaching and mentoring. If you are looking for a decorated speaker with distinguished public sector service and expertise in risk and crisis management, The Right Honourable Lord Parker of Minsmere is a fantastic choice.