About
Tim Parker
Tim Parker’s long and illustrious business career is most notable for his reputation in turnaround management. Since October 2014, he has served as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman at Samsonite, an American luggage manufacturer and retailer. He was also appointed to serve as the company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors in March 2011. In this capacity, his role includes leading the Board and ensuring its effective function.
Parker first joined Samsonite in November 2008, initially as non-Executive Chairman, at a time when the travel sector was facing a severe downturn. In January 2009, he became the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a position he held until September 2014. During this time, he was able to successfully steer the company back into profitability, ensuring its subsequent rebound.
Tim Parker graduated in 1977 from the University of Oxford with an MA in PPE. His first role was at the Treasury as an economist, which included advising Government ministers on nationalised industry policy. In 1979, he left to undertake an MA in Business Studies at the London Business School.
After graduating in 1981, he moved into the private sector and has subsequently held chief executive positions at some of Britain’s most notable brands. This included The AA, Kwik-Fit, Clarks and Kenwood.
Joining Kenwood, a kitchen appliances manufacturer, in 1986, Parker oversaw substantial growth at the business. Within nine years, revenue increased near four-fold to c.£200m and for his efforts, in 1989, he received the Queen’s “Award for Export”.
In 1996, Tim Parker was appointed as Chief Executive at Clarks, a footwear manufacturer and retailer. The company had been suffering from a decline in revenues due to global competition, high production costs and a perceived decline in quality. However, within five years of Parker’s appointment, his turnaround plan oversaw an increase of 150% in footwear profits. This achievement led to Parker bestowed with a second award by the late Queen – the “Award for Enterprise” – in 2001.
Moving to Kwik-Fit, a car servicing and repair company, in 2002, Parker played a crucial role in the completion of the £340m management buy-in from Ford. This deal was completed alongside CVC Capital Partners, one of the world’s largest private equity firms. His two-year tenure led to operating profits jumping three-fold to £60m, and the long-term stability of the business ensured with £100m of debt repaid.
Remaining within the automotive industry, in 2004, Parker moved to The AA. Involved in the £1.75bn purchase from Centrica, the association had been suffering from stagnating membership numbers and declining revenue. Parker was instrumental in reviving the brand, with growth in membership numbers re-established, and by 2007, EBITDA had increased by approximately two-and-a-half times from £120m to £305m.
Alongside his chief executive positions, Tim Parker has also held several other advisory and non-executive positions. He has served as an advisor at CVC Capital Partners and undertaken non-executive directorships at Alliance Boots and Legal & General.
Parker is active within the arts. Since 2009, he has been the owner and chair of British Pathé, helping to preserve culturally significant documentaries and films which can be viewed by the public. Until August 2024, he also served on the board of the Royal Academy of Music.
About
Tim Parker
Tim Parker’s long and illustrious business career is most notable for his reputation in turnaround management. Since October 2014, he has served as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman at Samsonite, an American luggage manufacturer and retailer. He was also appointed to serve as the company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors in March 2011. In this capacity, his role includes leading the Board and ensuring its effective function.
Parker first joined Samsonite in November 2008, initially as non-Executive Chairman, at a time when the travel sector was facing a severe downturn. In January 2009, he became the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a position he held until September 2014. During this time, he was able to successfully steer the company back into profitability, ensuring its subsequent rebound.
Tim Parker graduated in 1977 from the University of Oxford with an MA in PPE. His first role was at the Treasury as an economist, which included advising Government ministers on nationalised industry policy. In 1979, he left to undertake an MA in Business Studies at the London Business School.
After graduating in 1981, he moved into the private sector and has subsequently held chief executive positions at some of Britain’s most notable brands. This included The AA, Kwik-Fit, Clarks and Kenwood.
Joining Kenwood, a kitchen appliances manufacturer, in 1986, Parker oversaw substantial growth at the business. Within nine years, revenue increased near four-fold to c.£200m and for his efforts, in 1989, he received the Queen’s “Award for Export”.
In 1996, Tim Parker was appointed as Chief Executive at Clarks, a footwear manufacturer and retailer. The company had been suffering from a decline in revenues due to global competition, high production costs and a perceived decline in quality. However, within five years of Parker’s appointment, his turnaround plan oversaw an increase of 150% in footwear profits. This achievement led to Parker bestowed with a second award by the late Queen – the “Award for Enterprise” – in 2001.
Moving to Kwik-Fit, a car servicing and repair company, in 2002, Parker played a crucial role in the completion of the £340m management buy-in from Ford. This deal was completed alongside CVC Capital Partners, one of the world’s largest private equity firms. His two-year tenure led to operating profits jumping three-fold to £60m, and the long-term stability of the business ensured with £100m of debt repaid.
Remaining within the automotive industry, in 2004, Parker moved to The AA. Involved in the £1.75bn purchase from Centrica, the association had been suffering from stagnating membership numbers and declining revenue. Parker was instrumental in reviving the brand, with growth in membership numbers re-established, and by 2007, EBITDA had increased by approximately two-and-a-half times from £120m to £305m.
Alongside his chief executive positions, Tim Parker has also held several other advisory and non-executive positions. He has served as an advisor at CVC Capital Partners and undertaken non-executive directorships at Alliance Boots and Legal & General.
Parker is active within the arts. Since 2009, he has been the owner and chair of British Pathé, helping to preserve culturally significant documentaries and films which can be viewed by the public. Until August 2024, he also served on the board of the Royal Academy of Music.
