Alan Parker

Sir Alan Parker is founder and senior partner at Brunswick public relations. Parker is one of the UK's leading financial PR men (alongside Roland Rudd). He is close to the UK's political elite.

He is married to former political lobbyist Jane Hardman. His father is former British Rail boss Sir Peter Parker.

Political connections

Parker is a close personal friend of former UK prime minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah. Brown is godfather to one of Parker's children and Sarah used to work at Brunswick. It was Parker who recommended Stephen Carter, former Ofcom chief executive and (briefly) the chief executive of Brunswick, to be the PM's new chief of strategy. When Brown visited China and India at the beginning of 2008, he was accompanied not only by Carter but Parker as well, prompting one observer to ask - was the prime minister getting two advisers for the price of one?

In 2007 the then Conservative Party leader David Cameron sat next to Parker at his wedding - Parker's wife is said to be very close to Cameron's longstanding aide Kate Fall) and they were later pictured on holiday together in South Africa in 2008.

Parker's knighthood in 2014 gave further ammunition that that Cameron was awarding honours to those close to him or his party.

The City's PR man

Robert Peston notes in his 2008 book Who Runs Britain?:

"For the past 20 years Parker has exercised significant influence on the British corporate scene. He has a network of close contacts at the top of British companies and a similar network within the financial press. As an intermediary between these two networks he tries to shape perceptions of companies or business people."

According to the Evening Standard in 2005:

"...astute and lucky financial operator. His career has been meteoric. He first went into the City in 1981 to work in financial PR for Brian Basham at Broad Street Associates. Just six years later, he set up Brunswick on his own, initially using the Parker parents' front room as an office. It swiftly became the City's top PR firm, employed by companies such as BA, ICI and Barclays Bank to fend off or expedite takeovers and mergers, and was even taken on by Martha Stewart in an attempt to polish up her image during the ImClone scandal in 2002."

And CFO Europe reported in March 2006:

It is generally accepted that modern financial public relations was the brainchild of Alan Parker, the reclusive founder of Brunswick, an independent London-based agency that is consistently at the top of European deal advisory league tables. Parker was a rock band manager until his father, Sir Peter Parker, former head of British Rail, got him a job in PR. He founded Brunswick at the end of the 1980s and is credited with bringing investment banking-style professionalism to the trade. Brunswick’s influence spread within the London financial community, and latterly to Wall Street and continental Europe, where firms have copied its approach.

The Guardian also mentions Parker's low profile in 2001:

"As with any great PR man, Alan Parker's influence far outweighs his visibility. He founded financial PR consultancy Brunswick in 1987 and it is now accepted as the most powerful agencies in the City. Brunswick advises around one-third of the FTSE's top 100 firms including British Airways, Marks & Spencer and Marconi on their relationship with investors... The son of former British Rail chairman Sir Peter Parker, Mr Parker is renowned as a master salesman and pulled off a notable coup earlier this year when he recruited former Bill Clinton aide James Rubin, bolstering the agency's prowess in political affairs. However, his agency has run into some flak of late. It has been criticised for paying its junior staff badly and its slowness to expand internationally."

It also reports on Parker's personal fortune:

"Mr Parker's trust owns 88 per cent of Brunswick's Channel Islands holding company, Wynnstay, giving him a vice-like grip on the agency. His personal assets of £6m, combined with a company stake worth an estimated £114m, pushed him into 268th place in the Sunday Times Rich List alongside Sir Tim Rice and Sir Martin Sorrell.

Parker was awarded the CIPR's president's medal and made an honourary fellow in 2002. His peers described him and his company in the following terms:

"Alan Parker is our industry's most distinguished practitioner. He has reinvented financial communications and has made Brunswick the pre-eminent business of its time. This award recognises that remarkable record. I am delighted to welcome him as an honorary fellow of the IPR.

Donations

The Electoral Commission records Parker as having donated £4000 to David Miliband in July 2010.

Affiliations

• Board of Governors for the Royal Shakespeare Company
• Holland Park School
• Demos trustee
• Think Tank CentreForum lists an Alan Parker as a Board member. Could this be the one and the same? It isn't entirely clear.

Previous employment

• Worked at the PR firm Broadstreet, learning the trade from the top City PR man Brian Basham.

Directorships

According to data lodged at Companies House, Parker is a current director of 52 separate companies (plus has resigned from 6 and held 5 appointments at 5 dissolved companies). Most, if not all, of these form a complex web of subsidiaries, parents and holding companies for the various operations of the Brunswick group. As at October 2014 they comprise the following:

2014

• Wynnstay South Africa Limited, Director, appointed:15/02/2012
• Brunswick Hallaton Limited, Director, appointed: 15/02/2012
• Alma Furniture Co Limited, Company is dissolved, Director , appointed:19/10/1991
• Binston Limited, Company is dissolved, Director, appointed:30/11/1991
• Shiftwork Limited, Company is dissolved, Director:31/12/1991
• Charity Projects Trading Limited, Company is dissolved, Director, appointed:26/01/1993 resigned:15/05/1997
• Wynnstay Arts Consulting Limited, Director , appointed:07/06/2000
• China Festival 2008, Company is dissolved, Director, appointed:21/07/2006
• Merchantcantos Services Limited, Director, appointed:01/12/2000
• Brunswick Corporate Consultants Limited, Director, appointed:28/09/2000
• Brunswick Europe Limited, Director, appointed: 07/04/2000
• Brunswick Public Affairs Limited, Director, appointed: 07/04/2000
• Brunswick Financial Consultants Limited, Director, appointed: 02/09/1999
• Wynnstay Financial Advisory Limited, In Liquidation, Director, appointed:10/08/1999
• Wynnstay Corporate Advisory Limited, Director, appointed:15/12/1998
• The Lincoln Centre Limited, Director, appointed:14/10/1998
• Merchant Corporate Design Limited, Director, appointed:08/10/1997
• Publitizing Limited, Director, appointed:08/10/1997
• Brunswick Corporate Services Limited, Director, appointed:24/09/1996
• Brunswick Advisory Limited, Director, appointed:24/09/1996
• Wynnstay Public Relations Limited, Director, appointed:31/05/1996
• Brunswick Research Limited, Director, appointed:24/09/1995
• Brunswick Partnership Limited, Director, appointed:29/09/1995
• Brunswick South Africa Limited, Director, appointed:29/08/1995
• Wynnstay Minster Limited, Director, appointed:17/02/1993
• Question Time Limited, Director, appointed:17/02/1993
• Brunswick Gulf Limited, Director, appointed:17/02/1993
• Brunswick.com Limited, Director, appointed:17/02/1993
• Wynnstay Limited, Director, appointed:17/02/1993
• Wynnstay Covers Limited, Director, appointed:17/02/1993
• Wynnstay Consulting Limited, Director, appointed:15/10/1992
• Brunswick Consultants Limited, Director, appointed:15/10/1992
• Brunswick Corporate Limited, Director, appointed:15/10/1992
• Professional Presentations Limited, Director, appointed:31/01/1992
• Brunswick Group Services Limited, Director, appointed:23/01/1992
• Lincoln Research Limited, Director, appointed:31/01/1992
• Trinity Management Communications Limited, Director, appointed:31/05/1992
• Merchant Group Limited, Director, appointed:30/11/1991
• Islamouth Fishing Limited, Director, appointed:07/12/2000
• Omnium Brunswick Limited, Director, appointed:31/12/1991
• Wynnstay Brunswick Limited, Director, appointed:30/11/1991
• Anyway Productions Limited, Director, appointed:06/02/2012
• Brunswick India Limited, Director, appointed:07/11/2013
• Fif Farm Limited, Director, appointed:20/03/2012
• Demos, Director, appointed:01/09/1998
• One20, Director, appointed:15/09/1999, resigned:13/11/2000
• Charity Projects, Director, appointed:26/01/1993, resigned:14/05/1997
• The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, Director, appointed: 26/04/2012
• Film Club (UK), Director, appointed:08/07/2010, resigned:11/09/2013
• House of Illustration, Director, appointed:20/02/2003
• Comic Relief Limited, Director, appointed:26/01/1993, resigned:07/08/1997
• Cantos Communications LLP, LLP Designated Member, appointed:20/01/2004
• Brunswick Group LLP, LLP Designated Member, appointed:20/01/2004
• Brunswick Corporate Advisory LLP, LLP Designated Member, appointed:20/01/2004
• Brunswick Financial Advisory LLP, LLP Designated Member, appointed:20/01/2004
• Brunswick Public Relations LLP, LLP Designated Member, appointed:20/01/2004
• Merchantcantos LLP, LLP Designated Member, appointed:02/10/2003
• Save the Children Fund, Director, appointed:16/11/2007
• Brunswick Consulting LLP, LLP Designated Member, appointed:20/01/2004
• The Temenos Academy, Director, appointed:01/01/2003
• The Save the Children Alliance Trading Limited, Director, appointed:11/01/2010
• Brunswick Arts Consulting LLP, LLP Designated Member, appointed:20/01/2004
• Save the Children International, Director, appointed:11/01/2010

2007

Parker is a current director of 34 separate companies (plus - at differing London addresses, the current director of a further one, resigned from 5 and director of four dissolved companies), as at January 2007 they comprise the following:

• Lincoln Research Limited, Active Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number:02675449
• Brunswick Corporate Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 15/10/1992 Occupation:PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number:02749771
• Brunswick Consultants Limited, Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 15/10/1992 Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number:02749773
• Professional Presentations Limited, Active, DIRECTOR Appointed: 31/01/1992 Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number: 02680135
• Wynnstay Consulting Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 15/10/1992 Occupation:PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number: 02749778
• Wynnstay Minster Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 17/02/1993 Occupation:PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number:02787892
• Question Time Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 17/02/1993 Occupation:PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number:02787837
• Wynnstay Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 17/02/1993 Occupation:PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number:02784795
• Brunswick.com Limited Active, DIRECTOR Appointed: 17/02/1993 Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number:02787827
• Brunswick Group Services Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 23/01/1992 Occupation:PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number: 02675453
• Brunswick Gulf Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 17/02/1993 Occupation:PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number: 02787834
• Wynnstay Brunswick Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: pre 30/11/1991 Occupation:PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number: 02094879
• Trinity Management Communications Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: pre 31/05/1992 Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR Company Number: 02492210
• Brunswick South Africa Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 29/08/1995 Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number: 03080474
• Firstsay Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 24/09/1995 Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number:03102692
• Loanforce Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 29/09/1995 Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER Company Number:03102688
• Wynnstay Merchant Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: pre 30/11/1991, Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR Company Number: 02104264
• Wynnstay Public Relations Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 31/05/1996 Occupation:PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number: 03205872
• Brunswick Corporate Services Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 24/09/1996

Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number: 03246929

• Brunswick Advisory Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 24/09/1996 Occupation:PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number:03246916
• Publitizing Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 08/10/1997 Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number:03435153
• Merchant Corporate Design Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 08/10/1997 Occupation:PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number: 03435159
• The Lincoln Centre Limited, Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 14/10/1998 Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number: 03636828
• Wynnstay Corporate Advisory Limited Active DIRECTOR, Appointed: 15/12/1998 Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number: 03674797
• Brunswick Financial Consultants Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 02/09/1999, Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, Company Number: 03824717
• Wynnstay Covers Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 17/02/1993 Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number: 02784508
• Brunswick Public Affairs Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 07/04/2000 Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT, Company Number: 03956461
• Brunswick Europe Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 07/04/2000 Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT Company Number: 03956497
• Wynnstay Arts Consulting Limited, Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 07/06/2000 Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT, Company Number: 03968714
• Brunswick Corporate Consultants Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 28/09/2000, Occupation: PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT, Company Number:04058094
• Cantos Communications Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 01/12/2000 Occupation: SENIOR PARTNER PR COMPANY Company Number: 04077014
• Islamouth Fishings Limited Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 07/12/2000, Occupation: CONSULTANT Company Number: SC213553
• Wynnstay Financial Advisory Limited, Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 10/08/1999, Company Number: 03811147
• Museum of Illustration Active DIRECTOR Appointed: 20/02/2003 Company Number: 04484943
• China Festival 2008 Active Company Number: 05883646, DIRECTOR,Appointed: 21/07/2006,Occupation: CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Parker's directorships (last five years in 1997)

• Binston (liquidated)
• Brunswick Group Limited (Formerly Brunswick Public Relations Limited)
• Merchant Corporate Design Limited
• Shiftwork Limited
• The Alma Furniture Co Limited
• Charity Projects Limited
• Comic Relief Limited^[1]