The A-List: 2008

Job

Chairman of, and investor in, several media and advertising companies

Company

Future plc, India Media plc, Johnston Press plc, Media Square plc, Mobile Streams plc, YouGov plc

Work Telephone

Undisclosed.

Fantasy business partner

Steve Jobs.

How do you off-set your carbon footprint?

Plant trees.

Greatest influence

Changing technology.

Clubs

Garrick, MCC, Hurlingham, Ocean (Bahamas), Facebook.

Favourite gadget

Fully automatic coffee machine.

Desert island objects

Satellite dish, deck of cards, jetski.

Most-admired politician

Margaret Thatcher. She did more good than harm.

Favourite media

Financial Times, The Economist, and, of course, anything from Future, Johnston, etc, The West Wing, Radio 4, The Today Programme.

Biggest risk taken

Investing in Jazz FM (in at 30p, out at 185p).

Perfect day

Working breakfast, win new client, non-working lunch, buy new business, go to pub, watch movie.

Who should play you in the film of your life?

Bruce Willis.

Career highlights

Saatchi & Saatchi; BBC; Thames TV; McKinsey; WCRS; Aegis; More Group; Jazz FM; Clear Channel.

Fictional hero

Jason Bourne.

Hidden talent

Croquet.

Best job outside advertising

Reporter for the BBC.

Lowdown

Parry, linked last year with a bid for ITV, seems to be yearning for a return to full-time management, but, for the time being, maintains a portfolio of interests including chairing Future, Johnston Press and Media Square.

Most expensive purchase

Trees.

Why are you good at what you do?

Happy to accept change is inevitable.