Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been Canada’s monarch since she ascended to the throne of the United Kingdom in 1952, being crowned on 2 June. In 1981, Her Majesty consented to become Colonel-in-Chief of The Calgary Highlanders. She received regular reports from the Regiment on its activities, and visited Calgary for a final time in June 1990.

The Regiment received a new Queen’s Colour from Her Majesty while parading before her with the King’s Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC). The Calgary Highlanders were one of the last Canadian infantry regiments to replace the Union Jack with the new flag of Canada. A new Colonel-in-Chief for the Calgary Highlanders has yet to be named.

From the Canadian Heritage Site:

“When the regiments of the British and Canadian Armies were first formed, many had a royal patron who agreed to become the ceremonial commander of the unit or its “Colonel-in-Chief.” Perhaps foremost among the reasons for such patronage was the desire to reinforce, within the ranks of the regiment, a loyalty to the Crown through this personal relationship with a member of the Royal Family. The Colonel-in-Chief remains in close contact with his/her regiment and takes a very personal ongoing interest in its well being and that of its members. One of the most colourful and significant moments in the life of a regiment is when its Colonel-in-Chief presents new colours: a flag bearing the insignia of the Colonel-in-Chief, the regiment and, oftentimes, its battle honours). Old colours are retired and given a place of honour as the new colours are first presented and marched past the members of the regiment.”

Honorary Colonel Parker was born in Toronto, Ontario and raised in Calgary, Alberta.

Brian Parker graduated from Athabasca University with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1992 and began his career in the investment business.  He is currently Chairman and CEO of Acumen Capital Partners, a role he has filled since 2005.  Acumen is a full-service brokerage firm that specializes in Canadian growth companies.

Acumen, under HCol Parker, has consistently contributed at least 1% of all profits to support community initiatives, especially those that support children’s charities. In addition, Acumen periodically donates a day of commissions to support worthy causes, such as the Military Families Fund, or the victims of the Fort MacMurray fires.

He was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Calgary Highlanders in June of 2024 and fills his spare time with family, cycling and travel.

Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp was born and raised in Calgary Alberta.  Following high school LCol Beauchamp studied Business Administration at Mount Royal College and in the spring of 2000 he joined The Calgary Highlanders as an Infantry Officer.  In September 2004 LCol Beauchamp moved to Lethbridge where he studied Human Resources and Labour Relations Management at the University of Lethbridge.  While attending school in Lethbridge LCol Beauchamp was attached to 18th Air Defence Regiment RCA where he was a Troop Commander and Course Officer.  In 2006 LCol Beauchamp graduated from the University of Lethbridge and returned to The Calgary Highlanders where he was employed as a Rifle Platoon Commander.

From February to October 2008, Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp deployed to Kandahar Afghanistan as a Platoon Commander.  While in Afghanistan Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp’s platoon split their time between protecting resupply convoys moving throughout Kandahar Province and providing security at Kandahar Air Field’s primary entry point.  These tasks allowed Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp to witness the diverse geography of Kandahar province while also interacting with the people of Afghanistan. Since returning from Afghanistan Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp has continued his military service with The Calgary Highlanders.  This included participating in the military response to Calgary’s 2013 flood.  Outside the military, Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp is employed as a Human Resources Team Lead by Alberta Health Services.

In his spare time, Lieutenant-Colonel Beauchamp is pursuing a Masters’s of Public Administration and enjoys being active in the outdoors with his daughters.

He was promoted to his current rank and appointed as the Commanding Officer on 06 June 2021.