Our Leadership Team

Our Leadership Team is formed by four Directors, who work with and support the Chief Executive. They are responsible for developing the organisation’s strategy to achieve the corporate objectives and ensure sustained growth. The Leadership Team promotes Help & Care’s corporate culture by making sure our values and vision underpin all our work.

Whilst Help & Care has grown and evolved, our vision has not changed. We have a passion for social justice with a focus in always making a difference for people and communities.

Mark Sharman 

Chief Executive

As the Chief Exec, Mark is responsible for overseeing the strategic leadership and direction of Help & Care.

Mark gained a degree in Applied Social Services at Coventry Polytechnic. During his time as a student, Mark developed an interest in the voluntary and community sector, particularly in supporting people whose voice was not heard.

His wish to make a difference in the local community led him to join Help & Care in 1985 as the first Development worker. Over the last 32 years, Mark has led Help & Care from a local community initiative to become a major regional charity and social enterprise.

Mark was also awarded the OBE in the new year Honours list 2003 and an Honorary Doctorate from Bournemouth University in November 2003.


My passion is to work with excellent teams - creating services that are desirable and life-changing for the people we support.

Des Persse

Director of Services 

As Director of Services, Des Persse is responsible for overseeing the day to day delivery of Help & Cares' services in the community - while collaborating with a range of stakeholders in developing new provision.

Des has worked in the social care sector for almost 30 years. In his native city of Dublin, he held a number of roles supporting and developing services for people with learning disabilities. On moving to Dorset in 2002, Des worked in the homelessness and supported housing sector for 13 years working with vulnerable and excluded people.

 

Kathryn Loughnan

Director of Partnerships, Research and Influence 

As the Director of Partnerships, Research and Influence, Kathryn is responsible for a cluster of services and the lead on our developing work to influence, promote change and service development across our area of operation.

Kathryn has a broad experience of diverse industries and sectors. A generalist, with a proven history of effective management, communication skills and an entrepreneurial attitude with over 16 years in the education/community sector.

Kathryn is a multi-award winner for social enterprise projects with recognition at the Cabinet Office, No. 10 (Big Society Award 2011), Buckingham Palace and the United Nations.

Volunteering, charity and social enterprise work have always featured in my life. I believe that the Help & Care teams are made up of truly remarkable people, providing bespoke support to individuals and answering the wider needs of our society.


Rosie Verrico

Director of Organisational Development 

As Director of Organisational Development, Rosie leads on the design and delivery of strategies to meet the needs of our staff, ensuring colleagues have what they need to do the jobs they love. Rosie also holds responsibility for internal communications and marketing, making sure our message is seen both internally and externally, keeping staff, partners and the public up to date with our news.

Since qualifying as a Social Worker in 2007, Rosie has worked in Adult Social Care in the South of England. With a passion for staff welfare and development, Rosie has held several senior roles within Local Authorities, leading large social care teams to meet the needs of vulnerable members of our communities. As an experienced leader, Rosie brings her knowledge of the health and social care sectors to Help & Care, along with a keen interest in developing and motivating others.

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