DBA Finalist - Marianne Storey

We’re proud to sponsor the Business Leader of the Year Award at the annual Dorset Business Awards taking place on Thursday 28 November.

This week we’re showcasing the achievements of the three award finalists. We’ve shared the successes of Jamie Sergeant, MD at Crowd – next up is Marianne Storey, Chief Executive of Dorset Mind.

Marianne is a former Dorset Mind Trustee, appointed as Chief Executive Officer in September 2017. Since then, Dorset Mind has thrived, growing both financially and in terms of the services provides.

During Marianne’s role as a Trustee and CEO, Marianne has increased turnover by 871% over four years, ensuring a financial security that enables the charity to meet the growing mental health support required in Dorset.

Since her appointment as CEO, Marianne has designed, developed and implemented a five-year strategy which has already led to Dorset Mind becoming the fastest-growing local Mind in the south.

Marianne’s biggest achievement to date is in the widening of support to become countywide. Three years ago, Dorset Mind’s mental health support only reached 333 people in Dorset who were predominantly based in Bournemouth - now the charity have supported over 30,000 people across the county.

Marianne is helping to change the landscape of mental health support in Dorset. New mental health services introduced over the past two years have tackled the lack of support for people with mental health illness in rural areas as well as ensuring equality of access to support for everyone regardless of age, social class, gender or geographical location.

Internally, Marianne has worked hard to provide Dorset Mind with the infrastructure required for growth, securing a larger premises and appropriate technology. She ensures that her company recruits the best employees to deliver high-quality support, and staff numbers have increased from five paid employees to over 60 in just over three years.

As a CEO of a mental health charity, Marianne actively encourages applications from people with direct or indirect lived experience of mental health. Over 50% of Dorset Mind Trustees, management, staff and volunteers have experienced mental health issues. Marianne believes that given appropriate support, the vast majority of people who have experienced mental health problems can continue to work successfully.

Earlier this year, Dorset Mind succeeded as one of three finalists alongside two major national charities at the ‘National Charity Governance Awards’, for the ‘The Major Turn Around’ Award.

Find out more about the ways we support and work with local businesses on our website, and look out for our final profile tomorrow!