Big Birthday Bash for Big Issue
This year marks 20 years since social entrepreneur John Bird co-founded The Big Issue. The magazine is teaming up with music giant Vince Power to put on an out-door concert for 30 000 people. Although no performers have been announced as yet, Power has promised there will be “international, stadium-filling acts”. The concert date is set for September 3rd 2011, and will be held in Finsbury Park.
Famous and Fearless
A number of Parliaments' featured speakers have risked life and limb on Channel Four’s new show Famous and Fearless. The adrenalin fuelled show, in which teams of celebrities undertake extreme sports challenges such as BMX biking and street luge, marks Chris Evans’s return to C4 after 10 years. The celebrities all competed for the coveted £10,000 prize for their chosen charity. TV adventurer Charley Boorman eventually took the title and the prize after a close-run final, with double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes coming in at a close second.
Lord Jones is a Mastermind
Lord Digby Jones has been turning his talents in a slightly different direction this month. Digby, or to give him his formal title, Baron Jones of Birmingham, took a break from his Lordly duties to swot up for the gruelling challenge of appearing on the BBC's Celebrity Mastermind. He appeared alongside Simon O’Brien, Jason Merrells and Terry Christian, winning the title handsomely with 33 points, excelling at his specialist subject of ‘The Kings and Queens of England’. Lord Jones proclaimed himself very happy with his victory and confessed he’d given over four whole days in the period leading up to the show to revising his history.
James Caan Out of the Dragon’s Den
James Caan has announced that he will not return for another series of Dragon’s Den. Although, he says, he has enjoyed the experience immensely, the time has come to focus on his other commitments. He is looking to build up his private equity company, Hamilton Bradshaw, with over 40 companies within its portfolio, as well as seeing through plans for some exciting new ventures. James will also be working with Vince Cable's new Business Forum this year. He is Chairman of the Big Issue, sits on the board of McCann Erikson and will continue his philanthropic activity in the UK and abroad. This week he launched a new book called Get The Job You Really Want, which brings together 30 years of James's recruitment experience to help people of all ages in their job search or career.
He is continually building on his charity commitments in Pakistan; The James Caan Foundation was set up in 2006 to fundamentally assist with educating some of the 6 million children in Pakistan currently not enrolled in schools.
James Caan is still available for speaking engagements; contact Parliament to enquire.
To book any of these excellent speakers for your event, please contact Parliament on: +44 (0)1202 24 24 24
