He is credited with developing a successful template for the Notting Hill Carnival, of which he was director from 1973 to 1975,[4] during which time he "completely revolutionised the event and transformed its structure and content almost beyond recognition.
[9] At first he settled in the Kensal Rise area of London, and helped to form the Blue Notes Steel Orchestra in Ladbroke Grove.
[12][13] He had been thinking of how the London event could be improved, by broadening it to make it more inclusive of all the Caribbean islands as well as of British-born black youth, and he was given the opportunity to begin implementing his plans after taking on the role of carnival organiser in 1973.
[2] In late 1975, he took up a job working for Chris Blackwell's Island Records, promoting reggae worldwide and travelling with artists including Toots and the Maytals.
[2][29][30] Palmer went on to start his own management agency, representing young British acts such as Aswad, Steel Pulse, Janet Kay and Alton Ellis.
[34][35] Palmer heads the annual Notting Hill Carnival Pioneers (NHCP) Community Festival, established in 2013,[36][37] now held in Horniman’s Park, Kensal Road.