Rear Admiral Dr Chris Parry, CBE, was the speaker at a Richardson business event held in central Birmingham earlier in the month, with an invited audience of regional business and civic leaders.
Following a 36 year career in the Royal Navy as an aviator and warfare officer, Chris now runs his own strategic forecasting firm, advising governments, financial institutions and businesses on key geo-political and strategic issues, future trends and systemic risks.
A regular commentator on national media, Chris also teaches strategic leadership at universities in the UK and abroad, an is an active author, with his most recent publication being 'Super Highway: Sea Power in the 21st Century'.
During his time in the Royal Navy Chris commanded two destroyers, an Amphibious Assault Ship, the UK's Amphibious Task Group and the Maritime Warfare Centre.
As well as sailing every sea, he experienced combat operations in Northern Ireland, the Gulf and The Falklands, where he disabled an enemy submarine and rescued 16 SAS troopers from a glacier during a hurricane.
At the Richardson event, held at the University of Birmingham's 'Exchange' building in Centenary Square, Chris talked the audience through a range of geo-political issues facing different parts of the world at present and offered insights and forecasts on how situations might evolve in the future, and how they could impact on business in the UK.
Guests included the Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, the Leader of Birmingham City Council, John Cotton, and the Labour West Midlands Mayoral candidate for 2024, Richard Parker.