Wenta Appoints Former GOSH Charity Fundraising Chief Louise Parkes as New Chair
Wenta, a prominent not-for-profit and social enterprise, has announced the appointment of Louise Parkes as its new Chair. Parkes, who previously served as the CEO of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, brings more than two decades of extensive experience from some of the United Kingdom's most renowned charitable organisations. This strategic move positions Wenta, now one of the largest enterprise agencies in England, to enhance its impact and expand its services across the nation.
Extensive Charity Leadership Background
Louise Parkes joins Wenta following a distinguished career in the voluntary sector, where she held senior leadership roles at major charities including Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation, Barnardo's, and Shelter. At GOSH Charity, she oversaw significant fundraising initiatives, strategic development, and sector-leading partnerships, building a strong track record in organisational transformation, income growth, and championing innovation. Her appointment marks a natural progression within Wenta, as she has served as a Non-Executive Director on the organisation's Board for the past six years.
Statements from Key Figures
Commenting on her new role, Louise Parkes expressed her honour in joining Wenta at a pivotal moment. She emphasised the importance of Wenta's mission to make starting and running a business simpler and more accessible, particularly in today's rapidly changing environment. Parkes stated, "I look forward to working with the team, partners, and communities to help shape the next exciting phase of Wenta's national impact."
Alongside Parkes' appointment, Graham Lane has been named Vice Chair. Lane, who previously served as Interim Chair of Wenta and is the CEO of IT company Cheeky Munkey, brings significant commercial and digital expertise to the organisation. He remarked, "I'm proud to continue supporting Wenta in this next chapter, working alongside Louise, the Wenta Board, and wider team. Together, we are committed to strengthening and growing Wenta's reach and impact, ensuring the organisation continues to break barriers and support more people and their businesses for the decades to come."
Organisational Growth and Future Plans
Ed Jordan, CEO of Wenta, welcomed the appointments, highlighting that their combined expertise will be crucial as the organisation expands its services. Jordan noted, "We are so pleased to have Louise join as Chair and for Graham to continue supporting Wenta as Vice Chair. Their combined experience in charity leadership, digital innovation, and organisational growth is exactly what Wenta needs as we continue to evolve and expand our services both locally in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and London as well as nationally. Their guidance will be invaluable as we shape the future of enterprise support in the UK."
The appointments come at a critical juncture for Wenta as it advances several major developments. These include The DomeWorks, an upcoming innovation and enterprise hub in Watford designed to become Hertfordshire's flagship home for business support. Additionally, the organisation is preparing to launch a new website aimed at becoming a leading online destination for practical business advice, assisting individuals across the UK in starting and growing their own ventures.
Wenta's Legacy and Mission
Founded over 42 years ago, Wenta remains dedicated to supporting individuals seeking to re-skill, retrain, and build businesses. The organisation focuses on helping entrepreneurs, small business owners, and communities strengthen their confidence, wellbeing, and economic prospects. With the new leadership team in place, Wenta is poised to further its mission and enhance its role as a key player in enterprise support across the country.
