About Colin Parry

Colin Parry O.B.E JP. is well known for his work with the charitable organisation which he founded, The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation For Peace.

The Peace Centre

His efforts have helped the progress of the Peace Process in Northern Ireland. Colin is a tireless campaigner for Peace and has become a prominent authority and speaker in the years following the IRA bombing in Warrington in which his son was killed. Following this tragic event, Colin and his wife Wendy founded the Foundation for Peace and created their unique Peace Centre in Warrington.

Colin was awarded the O.B.E in the Queen's birthday Honours list in 2004 and has received many other awards and accreditations including Rotary International's most prestigious award for 'World Understanding and Peace' before an audience of 10,000 in the Osaka Baseball Dome in Japan.

An inspired networker and communicator, Colin runs his own Coaching and Leadership Development company.

Colin uses his lifetime management experience in senior business roles, alongside his extensive experience of meeting and working with high profile public figures such as Tony Blair, Sir John Major and Mo Mowlam, to help inspire individuals, grow teams and ultimately, help organisations achieve their goals.

Colin Parry & Martin McGuiness
Martin McGuinness & Colin Parry

Colin has also written widely on the subject of peace, having many first person pieces published in national and regional media, and he also wrote the book 'Tim: An Ordinary Boy', published by Hodder & Stoughton (1994).

Colin also hosted his own television series, 'An Interview with Colin Parry' on Granada Television, in which Colin interviewed a wide variety of guests.

Colin Parry is Chairman and Co-founder of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. The Foundation is dedicated to providing conflict resolution programmes and activities that benefit children, young people, adults, schools and communities everywhere. Visit The Foundation for Peace to read and find out more about its work.

Testimonials from Fellow Professionals

"For Rotary International, promoting peace, goodwill and understanding among peoples of the world, is a top priority. I had the good fortune of hearing Colin Parry's acceptance speech when he received the RI Award for 'World Understanding and Peace' on behalf of his Foundation at the RI convention in Osaka Japan. His words were riveting. Subsequently, I had the pleasure of meeting Colin and his wife Wendy when they visited the U.S. on a speaking tour of Rotary clubs. The message he shared and the manner in which he shared it was unforgettable. Even though the words he spoke came from his mouth, they originated in his heart."

Keith Trent, President, Anderson Rotary Club, Indiana, USA

"It is possible that HR professionals are, by their very nature as an identifier / provider of Coaching, one of the most difficult groups of people to engage in their own Coaching, i.e. Healer heal thyself.

However, having got to the position that I needed something, it was clear that the internal options would not work. So a referral to someone who would know what it was like in HR (and in heavy HR), was going to be necessary to create a level of empathy and credibility. It also needed someone who could remain objective and when required, challenge my thinking.

Colin has achieved all of the above. He is a strong listener and has an intuitive intervention technique which works (with me), without ever feeling intrusive. We have achieved a relationship where I can honestly review many goals and coping strategies in a safe and thoughtful way.

It has produced a better and more effective me and a personal development plan with validity checks that are crucial."

Peter MacKenzie, former HR Director of Manchester Airport Group

"I was delighted to be referred to Colin by a friend of mine when I was in need of some independent coaching for my Management and Leadership Skills. Colin met with me on a monthly basis and talked through the issues I was dealing with, in terms of business priorities and managing political relationships in what was an extreme situation.

Colin provided very pragmatic and thoughtful advice and when options were limited, offered creative solutions. Colin's style was always thoughtful and considerate. However, at times, he challenged my thinking to encourage me to be more directive and business-like.

Colin developed my influencing skills and my negotiating skills to enable me to work more closely with my business and for them to appreciate and see the value that HR could bring within a professional services environment. On taking on a new remit, looking after non-UK areas of responsibility, Colin was able to help me rationalise some of the challenges and focus my energy on those aspects that were going to make the biggest difference.

I worked with Colin for approximately a year and during this time, I saw a big difference in my confidence and performance and it was reflected in my Personal Development Review and therefore my salary and bonus.

I would be delighted to recommend Colin for other business professionals who would benefit from coaching and look forward to continuing in the future a professional relationship with him."

Kathryn Graves, Head of HR, EMEA of DTZ (Leading UK property Developments)

"I have known Mr Parry for over 13 years in his capacity of Chairman of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace, of which I am a patron. Colin has also provided advice and support for the agency.

His work and advocacy role are of the highest standard. He embraces the values of the public sector but delivers projects and programmes in an effective and efficient manner which is testimony to his vast private sector experience. He is entrepreneurial, determined and always shows high level team work and motivational abilities. I recommend Colin and am certain he would make a positive difference and contribution to any organisation's development."

Steven Broomhead, CEO of North West Development Agency (NWDA)