Background
Palmer is the son of Colonel the Honorary Sir Gordon Palmer, a younger son of Ernest Palmer, 2nd Baron Palmer by his marriage to Lorna Eveline Hope Bailie.
Palmer is the son of Colonel the Honorary Sir Gordon Palmer, a younger son of Ernest Palmer, 2nd Baron Palmer by his marriage to Lorna Eveline Hope Bailie.
He was educated at Eton and then at the University of Edinburgh, where he received a Certificate in Farming Practice in 1979.
Palmer was an apprentice at his family"s famous biscuit factory, Huntley and Palmers Limited, at Reading, Berkshire, and then worked as sales manager in Belgium and Luxembourg, between 1974 and 1977. From 1977 to 1986 he was the Scottish representative to the European Landowners" Organisation (ELO). Between 1989 and 2005, he was also secretary of the Royal Caledonian Hunt.
Foreign the Historic Houses Association for Scotland, The Lord Palmer was vice-chairman in 1993 and 1994, and chairman between 1994 and 1999.
Palmer was also President of Palm Tree Silk Company in Street Lucia, of the British Association of Biofuels and Oils (BABFO), and of the transport division of the Renewable Energy Authority. Palmer lives at Manderston, Duns, Berwickshire.
He was member of the Executive Council of the Historic Houses Association from 1981 to 1999, and of the council of the Scottish Landowners" Federation from 1986 to 1992. He is a member of the National Farmers Union of Scotland and since 1994 chairman of the Country Sports Defence Trust. Between 1990 and 1996, he was a member of the Royal Company of Archers.