Lord Parker of Minsmere KCB appointed as Lord Chamberlain

The Queen has appointed Andrew Parker, Baron Parker of Minsmere, as Lord Chamberlain to succeed Lord Peel, who will retire on 31st March.  Lord Parker will take up his appointment on 1st April 2021.

Notes to Editors/Background

The Lord Chamberlain is the senior officer of the Royal Household. The role is non-executive and part-time, overseeing the conduct and general business of the Royal Household and acting as the channel of communication between the Sovereign and the House of Lords.  The Lord Chamberlain also undertakes ceremonial duties.

The current Lord Chamberlain, The Earl Peel GCVO, was appointed in June 2006.

Lord Parker’s career spans 37 years in the Security Service (MI5), most recently serving as Director General of MI5 from 2013 until 2020. A Distinguished Fellow, Royal United Services Institute and Visiting Professor, Law School, Northumbria University, Lord Parker has an MA in Natural Sciences, Churchill College, Cambridge.  Appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 2019, in December 2020 he was created a cross bench life peer.

He has been a non-executive director of Babcock International since November 2020 and is an Advisor to Telicent.