‘These clouds will have a silver lining’

22 November 2008

Judi Bevan meets Sir John Parker, who chairs National Grid and the Court of the Bank of England — and takes an optimistic view of the deepening recession

Even so, the challenges of ensuring that the nation’s energy needs are met in the future, as North Sea oil and gas supplies decline, should not be underestimated. Natural gas is taking an increasing role along with nuclear and wind power and all have to be delivered to where they are needed. ‘We have built a billion-pound pipeline to take Norwegian gas through the whole of South Wales, right through the national park and up into Gloucestershire to connect with the main arteries,’ says Parker with some pride. Along the way National Grid had to appease numerous councils and armies of environmentalists. ‘We have had to preserve special grasses and look after voles.’ It has taken five years — and if Parker has one fervent wish, it is that the new planning bill currently grinding its way through Parliament is passed to allow projects of national importance to be speeded up.

Parker’s clutch of other jobs include being the joint chairman of the packaging group Mondi and vice-chairman of DP World (Dubai) which took over P&O in 2006 — a transaction that he largely negotiated, again to the benefit of shareholders. For most 65-year-olds — or even 35-year-olds — that would be a full dance-card, but Parker also finds time to advise the Prime Minister through the Business Council for Britain, sit on the board of the cruise group Carnival and lead the Young Offenders into Work initiative, plus a few other commitments.

He and his hospitable wife Emma moved to the Devon coast a few years ago so that he could sail his yacht — but he spends less time aboard than he might wish. Parker is the non-executives’ non-exec and he believes passionately in the role. ‘Being in someone else’s boardroom is the best business school you could go to,’ he says adamantly.