ATHLETE OF THE MONTH | APRIL '20
CHRIS PARNHAM
Job Title: MD of Absolute Corporate Events
Website: www.absolutecorporateevents.com
Social Media: @ParnhamChris
Since our inception, TAILORED ATHLETE has attracted thousands of Athletes from all walks of life with one continuing passion: a love for physical development and a positive mindset. Our journey is your journey, and we want to share the stories of our Athletes amongst our community for the following reasons...
- Inspiration - Every individual has a story to tell, and we want to hear about those who inspire us.
- Networking - We want to encourage networking amongst like-minded individuals within our community.
- Advice - Whether it’s a go-to outfit, best practice in a specific field or even words of encouragement.
With a 20+ year career in the events industry, Chris has built his award-winning company into one of the most reputable and well-known boutique international events agencies in the world. A rather modest brag when you look at the extensive portfolio of prestigious companies he counts as clients, yet for Chris, this has all been part of an envisioned path he has carved for himself since getting his MBA in Communication Strategy. With stints in Sales & Marketing, it wasn’t until he started as a producer for an events company that Chris finally felt like he’d found his calling.
From there, he worked his way up to eventually become the Head of Global Events @ Barclays before spending 5 years as MD at Zibrant, when the company recorded its highest turnover and profits under his leadership.
Having made the transition from a huge corporation (Barclays) to a more agile agency (Zibrant), Chris reflects on the lessons and learnings taken from his varied career which have shaped him into the man he is today:
With a 20+ year career in the events industry, Chris has built his award-winning company into one of the most reputable and well-known boutique international events agencies in the world. A rather modest brag when you look at the extensive portfolio of prestigious companies he counts as clients, yet for Chris, this has all been part of an envisioned path he has carved for himself since getting his MBA in Communication Strategy. With stints in Sales & Marketing, it wasn’t until he started as a producer for an events company that Chris finally felt like he’d found his calling.
From there, he worked his way up to eventually become the Head of Global Events @ Barclays before spending 5 years as MD at Zibrant, when the company recorded its highest turnover and profits under his leadership.
Having made the transition from a huge corporation (Barclays) to a more agile agency (Zibrant), Chris reflects on the lessons and learnings taken from his varied career which have shaped him into the man he is today:
One of the most important things I learned at Barclays was that I needed to stand out, to be different and make the right noises in order to get noticed. I wanted to make a lasting impression and to make a difference, so I made sure I was dependable and ready to take on anything new, challenging or risky.
Chris Parnham, MD of Absolute Corporate Events
One of the most important things I learned at Barclays was that I needed to stand out, to be different and make the right noises in order to get noticed. I wanted to make a lasting impression and to make a difference, so I made sure I was dependable and ready to take on anything new, challenging or risky.
Chris Parnham, MD of Absolute Corporate Events
So how has fitness helped him perform? Chris admittedly never made a conscious commitment to conditioning, it just came naturally. He’d always been into sports but when applying it to business, it was more of an innate realisation that exercise made him physically and mentally feel better. His subconscious told him if he wanted to perform at a high level, he needed to look after himself.
Chris mentions this self-care included all aspects of his life with regard to diet, fitness, and mental development. His go-tos at the moment are cycling & running at least 3 to 4 times a week, although as he has got older, he has enjoyed more weight-based training as opposed to cardio.
This was the initial appeal of TAILORED ATHLETE shirts, finding clothing that provided a proper fit across his upper body but also left him feeling confident and comfortable.
So how has fitness helped him perform? Chris admittedly never made a conscious commitment to conditioning, it just came naturally. He’d always been into sports but when applying it to business, it was more of an innate realization that exercise made him physically and mentally feel better. His subconscious told him if he wanted to perform at a high level, he needed to look after himself.
Chris mentions this self-care included all aspects of his life with regard to diet, fitness, and mental development. His go-tos at the moment are cycling & running at least 3 to 4 times a week, although as he has got older, he has enjoyed more weight-based training as opposed to cardio.
This was the initial appeal of TAILORED ATHLETE shirts, finding clothing that provided a proper fit across his upper body but also left him feeling confident and comfortable.
The fit is comfortable and flattering, the quality and durability is good, and I think that the range is styled for an athlete ready to do business.
Chris Parnham, MD of Absolute Corporate Events
The fit is comfortable and flattering, the quality and durability is good, and I think that the range is styled for an athlete ready to do business.
Chris Parnham, MD of Absolute Corporate Events
Looking back, Chris tells us it was always on his agenda to have a business of his own, it was only a case of timing. It wasn’t until he came across, what he describes as a “small owner-managed events company”, that he decided to acquire the company and apply the knowledge and expertise he had gained at both corporate and agency level.
It’s therefore no surprise that since his takeover, ACE has celebrated 400% growth and is listed at Number 10 in the UK’s Fastest Growing Agencies (2019). Describing ACE as it is now, he says:
“We are able to do everything the big events agencies do, but with a more personalized and bespoke service. It’s this focused, elegant approach that I believe has led to our success to date”
Looking back, Chris tells us it was always on his agenda to have a business of his own, it was only a case of timing. It wasn’t until he came across, what he describes as a “small owner-managed events company”, that he decided to acquire the company and apply the knowledge and expertise he had gained at both corporate and agency level.
It’s therefore no surprise that since his takeover, ACE has celebrated 400% growth and is listed at Number 10 in the UK’s Fastest Growing Agencies (2019). Describing ACE as it is now, he says:
“We are able to do everything the big events agencies do, but with a more personalized and bespoke service. It’s this focused, elegant approach that I believe has led to our success to date”
What is next for Chris?
As someone who has already achieved quite profound success, Chris attributes it to his mentality and mindset and insists there is still a lot more he wants to do. He has always been goal orientated and when asked how he maintains motivation, he tells us:
“I stay focused and motivated by keeping a firm hand on the present, but always with an eye to the future, looking for the next opportunity or challenge. The present and the future are always more exciting than the past”
He knows that each year will be different from the last and in order to maximize that, his commitment to fitness is what keeps his “internal engine” running.
Chris’ next chapter leans on both writing and public speaking, both of which he has found himself doing more and more in recent years. Topics range from leadership, change, motivation, and how to engage an audience.
Alongside his upcoming projects, including a mentorship programme, and his desire to travel, we have no doubt that his relentless drive will see him achieve exactly what he has set out to do. He leaves us with a final note:
“My biggest prize in life comes from seeing people do better or become better, improving daily and achieving their dreams. I am incredibly lucky to be able to help in this way.”
This ultimately aligns with why TAILORED ATHLETE exists, and on behalf of the team, your story has served as an inspiration to us all. You truly represent everything it means to be a TAILORED ATHLETE.
CHRIS' FAVOURITE SHIRT:
The Elite Bamboo Shirt in White
