Jess has worked for Touchstone since 2008 in a business development role. Touchstone has an annual turnover of almost £8m, employs 300 staff and volunteers to deliver mental health and wellbeing services to over 2,000 people across West and South Yorkshire.
Jess has worked collaboratively with a broad range of community, voluntary and statutory organisations to develop a number of partnerships and projects which reduce mental health inequalities. These include Live Well Leeds, Mentally Healthy Leeds and Liaison and Diversion Services in West & South Yorkshire. She is responsible for developing and embedding Touchstone’s Business Development Strategy and securing Touchstone’s sustainability.
Jess Parker deputises for CEO Alison Lowe, who has led the charity to national acclaim as a top employer. Recent accolades include three star accreditation in the Sunday Times Best Employer to Work For annual survey where it is ranked 8 out of 100 not-for-profit employers.
Jess Parker commented:
“I am really excited to be stepping up into this role of Deputy CEO in an organisation which I love.”
Alison Lowe added:
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Jessica Parker to this role. Not only is Jess an experienced senior leader; she lives the values of Touchstone and will ensure we continue to deliver excellent outcomes to reduce health inequalities in the communities we serve.”
In addition to the Sunday Times Best Companies survey, Touchstone is ranked 20th in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers list, and in December 2018 – for the third consecutive year – it came top in the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List. It holds Investors in People (IIP) platinum status – awarded to just one percent of employers accredited by IIP.
