PSS trust appoints new boss
The board of Presbyterian Support Southland (PSS) has appointed Michael Parker as the charitable trust’s new chief executive.
Parker will replace John Prendergast in the role, with Prendergast starting a new job as general manager of the Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington next month.
PSS provides health and social services in Southland through its service arms, Family Works and Enliven.
While new to the Southland job, Parker is a familiar face within the Presbyterian Support family. He led Presbyterian Support South Canterbury for 15 years before moving in 2018 to Dunedin, where he was appointed chief executive of Presbyterian Support Otago.
Ill health led to Parker’s resignation from the Otago organisation later that year.
However, PSS chairman Tim Loan said Parker had made a successful recovery that had allowed him to return to the workforce this year.
Parker was born in Timaru. He worked in Wellington and Christchurch in bank management roles, and in Australia in hospitality, before shifting back to Timaru to take up the position with Presbyterian Support South Canterbury.
The PSS board believed Parker had the right skills and experience to lead PSS in the coming years, Loan said.
‘‘It is exciting for Southland to welcome another great leader to the local business community.’’
The board thanked Prendergast for his contribution and the positive changes he had implemented over the past 18 months, Loan said. ‘‘John has led Presbyterian Support Southland with pride and we wish him well in his new role based in Wellington.’’
Parker will start in the role on February 3.