The distinct interiors of the House of Lords fill the pages of the online brochure: the royal staircase, the robing room and the royal gallery. They provide a regal flavour of an event aimed at the construction industry – one that can be sponsored for up to £25,000.
Next to a prominent picture of Lord David Evans of Watford sitting smiling in the royal gallery is the promise that the peer “is fully onboard supporting these initiatives”.
Evans, 82, has been a Labour peer for 26 years. He is hardly one of the more active members in the chamber, rarely contributing to debates. But recently he has hosted two events in parliament similar to the one outlined in the corporate brochure.
The Affinity events, described as networking opportunities for the construction industry, are run through Octavius GB. This company was established in 2013 by the peer’s son, Richard. Lord Evans himself served for four months as a director and remains a one-third shareholder, corporate records show.
Attendance at one of the House of Lords events is available through a membership scheme that costs up to £600 and comes with a “complimentary” ticket to the event. Like the sponsorship deal, tickets are advertised on LinkedIn in posts regularly liked and commented on by Lord Evans. Many of the posts say ministers and other members will attend.
These events are at the heart of a Guardian investigation that exposes Lord Evans’ involvement with what appears to amount to a cash-for-access venture.
Lord Evans said he was not involved in cash for access. He said he had “totally forgotten” he had shares in Octavius GB and that he had never taken payment or benefits from the company.
Former printing apprentice
Evans was made a peer in 1998 by Tony Blair. He had backed the Labour party in the lead-up to Blair’s 1997 election victory with donations of at least £30,000.
His wealth came from a publishing empire built up over nearly three decades, founded in 1971 from a small office on Whitehall, a stone’s throw from the Houses of Parliament.
The former printing apprentice launched a one-stop shop for commercial publishing demands. From roots in printing ballots for the Labour party and trade unions, Centurion Press grew to produce corporate magazines, selling advertising space, and marketing material.
After more than 30 years, in 2002 Lord Evans sold part of Centurion to a rival business, netting a personal windfall of at least £12m. The other four directors also had million-pound paydays, including Richard Evans, who had run the company’s voluntary sector arm.
Well connected
With 26 years’ service as a peer, Lord Evans is well connected to a Labour party back in power. The events at the House of Lords hosted by Lord Evans and organised by his son have been attended by ministers and fellow peers.
Their attendance is a key draw of the Affinity events, for which some guests pay up to £600 for membership and access. Sponsorships for an event can go up to £25,000.
In a meeting with an undercover reporter, Richard claimed to have already secured three such sponsorships from a single company.
Richard told the Guardian that the Affinity events in parliament were “educative”, with 90% of attenders on gifted places. He said Affinity was a space for key stakeholders in the UK construction sector and “facilitates seamless information exchange, fostering collaboration and sharing critical insights”.
He added: “The platform invites industry leaders and ministers to share their expertise, while also supporting charities focused on reducing homelessness, reoffending and mental health.”
Richard said the £25,000 sponsorship deals “extends beyond covering the cost of event delivery – it includes ongoing marketing support for our sponsors”.
After the Guardian questioned Richard about the nature of the events, he posted a new brochure on LinkedIn that no longer featured any reference to his father.
