Chris Parkhouse is an expert in business development issues, who has spent over 30 years with various high profile organisations, operating both domestically and internationally.

Before assuming his current role, Chris worked for groups such as Provident Mutual, GRE, Aegon, Virgin and Abbey/Santander, in roles such as Corporate Sales Director and Director of Strategic Alliances. He has managed business units active across over 80 countries.

In 2005, he founded Deyton Bell to provide specialist economic, commercial and business development services to other organisations. The business has grown rapidly since its launch and now operates across both UK and international markets, working with clients of all sizes and from all sectors.

Deyton Bell provide a range of professional consultancy, advisory and outsourced services centred on core economic, commercial and business issues such as trade and investment development, lead generation, sales development, partnerships and strategic alliances, proposition development and corporate strategic direction. The business is very active internationally, with clients around the world and through a specialist focus on transatlantic issues, is proud to have productive ongoing relationships with US Government at Federal, State, City and local levels, together with many satisfied business clients from various sectors and locations.

Chris holds both UK and US nationality, and has lived, worked and been educated in both the US and UK. He has contributed to various publications, TV and radio programmes and has taken part in numerous conferences and seminars across the UK, Europe, Far East and USA.

As well as running a successful business, Chris holds a number of senior roles in the wider business community, providing him with a great depth of business experience together with a rare blend of insight and connectivity across both the private and public sectors. These currently include:

• Chairman, East of England IDB Ltd
• Chairman, Institute of Directors East of England
• Council Member, Institute of Directors
• Visiting Fellow, Lord Ashcroft International Business School, Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge & Chelmsford
• Fellow, Institute of Sales and Marketing Management
• Liveryman, Worshipful Company of Management Consultants
• Freeman, City of London
• Deputy Chairman, Greater Cambridge Partnership
• Member, British American Business Council
• Member, Chamber of Commerce US and International Committee

Away from the office, Chris is a rowing enthusiast who trains and competes in all types of boat and crew and enjoys any opportunity to be out on the river. When not competing himself, he coaches Wolfson College Cambridge and is President of Rob Roy Boat Club, Cambridge.