Michael Wynne-Parker has held several public offices including:
Member: The Arts Society, Norwich. Elected 2024
Chairman: Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society 2017
Council for the advancement of Arab-British Understanding.
Following his experiences in Palestine from 1966 Michael Wynne-Parker became a founding member of the Council. He had been an eye witness of the Six Day War. He was elected Chairman of the East Region of the Council in 1970 at the age of 25.
Michael Wynne-Parker with General Sir John Glubb
(Glubb Pasha – founder of the Arab Legion) – Norwich 1973
English Speaking Union. Elected as Chairman of the Norfolk and Norwich Branch in 1975 Michael Wynne-Parker was selected to follow Major General Bill Odling as Chairman of the East Anglian Region 1n 1977. He subsequently became a Governor of the ESU of the Commonwealth. In 1982 he co founded the ESU of Sri Lanka with Dr Terance Amerasinghe and went on to be elected the first President of the ESU of South Asia in Delhi in 1987.
Michael Wynne-Parker with former President JR Jayawardene (standing) and
President Premadasa (seated centre) at the official opening of the ESU HQ in Colombo, Sri Lanka,1990
In 1987 Michael Wynne-Parker was appointed Chairman of the ESU Appeal launched by HRH Prince Philip in Westminster County Hall.
Michael Wynne-Parker HRH Prince Philip and Gp Captain David Hicks 1987
The main achievement of the appeal was the retaining and renovation of Dartmouth House-the historic HQ of the ESU. In 1989 Michael Wynne-Parker chaired the ESU of Sri Lanka Appeal to establish a permanent HQ, School (through which over 5000 students have now passed) and the Wynne-Parker Library in Colombo.
In 1982 Michael Wynne-Parker co founded with Lord Rix the Mencap City Foundation launched by Chancellor of the Exchequer Lord How.
Lord Rix and Hammond Innes, Dartmouth House, London 1989
The Foundation went on to launch the first ever Charitable Unit Trust.
Michael Wynne-Parker was co founder with Jim Davidson of the British Forces Foundation and was Chairman of the Foundations inaugural Ball at Grosvenor House, London, 1999.
Michael Wynne-Parker with HRH Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, Fiona Wynne-Parker and Jim Davidson
Michael Wynne-Parker became a member of the Norfolk Churches Trust-founded by Lady Harrod-and sponsored several projects in 1988 including the publication of “Occasional Papers on the Rural Church”.
In 1989 Michael Wynne-Parker was awarded the Harpers´and Queen Awards for Excellence: Philanthropist of the Year, Runner up to HRH Prince Charles, for his contribution to the ESU.
Michael Wynne-Parker with Prime Minister John Major, Norma Major and Mandana Wynne-Parker. Chequers, UK. 1993
In 1997 in an article in the Times (London) Michael Wynne-Parker was first described as “The Man with the Golden Address book” by Jonathon Guinness.
Michael Wynne-Parker was elected Chairman of The Guild of Travel and Tourism (UK) in 1999.The Guild’s members represent all aspects of British Tourism. The Guild holds seminars, hosts luncheons and dinners at prestigious venues attended by Industry leaders, politicians, authors and Royalty. See the Guild’s Website –www.traveltourismguild.com
In 2005 Michael Wynne-Parker was appointed a Trustee of the Heart for Russia Charity which rescues and rehabilitates street children in Russia.
In 2006 Michael Wynne-Parker became Chairman of the A Heart for Russia Appeal.www.heartforrusssia.org
Michael Wynne-Parker with artist Vera Protasova. Count Tolstoy and HRH Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia in the forground. Heart for Russia Charity Ball, Syon Park, UK. June 2005
In addition to positions included above Michael Wynne-Parker is:
Ambassador: British Forces Foundation 1999
Founder Trustee Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society: Estonia Branch 2013
President: George Kirilov Society
Vice President: ESU of Sri Lanka
ESU of Nepal
Founder Patron: Pensthorpe Waterfowl Trust, Norfolk, UK
Founder: Knockie Stalking Club
Co Founder: Mencap City Foundation
Co Founder: United Charities Unit Trust
Patron: The St. George Foundation,Estonia 2006
Patron: The Castle of Mey, Scotland
Vice President: Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust. August 2015
President: British Commonwealth Sambo Association. October 2015
Chairman: Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society. UK Branch. 2017
Formerly:
Hon Consul: Republic of Tajikistan
Principal Secretary and Receiver General of the Monarchist League
Editor of The Monarchist
Chairman Norwich Conservative Candidates Committee
Vice Chairman Norfolk Beagles
Life Member:
Royal Society of St.George
Sri Lanka Friendship Association
Norfolk Naturalists Trust
Decorations:
Papal Medal (Pope Paul V1, Rome 1971)
Miembro de Honor Union Monarquica Espanola, 1974
Grand Cordon, Order of the Crown of Yemen 1977
Knight Commander, Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem 1980
Order of St. Isidore Yuriev (3rd Class) Estonia, 2015
Chevalier in the Royal Order of the Crown of Rwanda (Grand Cross) 2016
Chevalier of the Honorary Golden Badge ”Public Recognition” of the Russian Federation. 2019
Further Reference:
Debretts People of Today 2005
International Whos Who 2005
The Royal Tribes of Wales (Philip Yorke 1887)
Ruvigny´s Titled Nobility of Europe (Burke´s Peerage 1914)
Ordo Sancti Lazari (1983)
Dictionary of International Biography (2006)
Recreations:
Books, Opera, Gardens, Traveling and Field Sports.
Recent Article:
“Impressions of Orthodoxy in Estonia” in Russian and English” See website of Estonia Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate.