Lynne Parker

Producer & Cultural Entrepreneur in the United Kingdom

Lynne Parker

Producer & Cultural Entrepreneur in the United Kingdom

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I came up with the idea of Funny Women after years of working with entertainment brands, as well as many fashion, beauty and health products aimed at women.

I originally trained as a journalist and spent the first years of my career working in women’s magazines for publishing groups Nat Mags and IPC writing about fashion and beauty topics.

After editing a fashion trade magazine I went on to set up a lingerie boutique where I gained even further insight into the psyche of women.

When I sold the shop three years later, I began a new phase of my career in public relations and marketing along with stints as a cable TV presenter. I eventually set up my own PR consultancy and managed many promotional campaigns for well known brands.

Funny Women grew out of a creative idea for a client who was a comedy promoter. He told me that ‘women weren’t funny’ but I’ve had fun proving otherwise! I set up Funny Women 13 years ago and it is now of the UK’s leading comedy brands.

The first event took place in 2002 and since then the company has produced 13 Funny Women Awards, numerous charity events, 12 runs of Funny Women at the world famous Edinburgh Fringe, and toured Funny Women shows around the UK. Funny Women has also raised thousands of pounds and lots of awareness for female related charities.

I now use my experience in comedy to train and coach women and men in business and public life based on stand up techniques to improve self confidence and presentation skills both professionally and personally. I am passionate about giving women their voice and I’ve seen how learning to use humour helps women to become more assertive and confident.

I have won several awards: the Ladies at E11even ‘Inspirational Woman Award’, and the ‘NatWest Award’ for outstanding business success in 2011; AAW 'Champion of Women' in 2012 and nominated as one of ‘One Hundred Unseen Powerful Women who change the world’ in recognition of work in the area of arts and media, 2012.

  • Work
    • Comedy
  • Education
    • London College of Fashion