Together Co’s Board of Trustees are delighted to announce that Sofie Franzen, the charity’s Deputy CEO, has been promoted to become Interim CEO.

Sofie has been Deputy CEO of Together Co since January 2019 and is an exceptional leader with more than 25 years’ experience in the voluntary sector. She has been instrumental to the success of Together Co in recent years particularly in navigating the huge increase in demand for its services during the Covid-19 pandemic.  

Sofie will succeed Together Co’s current CEO Jo Crease, who steps down at the end of September after a decade of leading the charity to take up a new role within a national social prescribing initiative. In that time, Jo has made a huge contribution in transforming Together Co to become the leading loneliness charity in Brighton and Hove.  

Commenting on her new role, Sofie Franzen, Interim CEO of Together Co said:

“This is an exciting opportunity to help take Together Co to a new phase, building on all that has been achieved in the last few years. We have an amazing team of dedicated staff and volunteers, and I am looking forward to working with them to shape our services to fit the changing needs of our community.”  

Natalie Orringe, Chair of Together Co added: “In recent years, a combination of factors from Covid-19 to economic and social change have led to a rapid increase in those experiencing loneliness and isolation in our city. Together Co has risen to this challenge providing support and services in a complex, ever changing environment. We wish Jo every success in her new role and are delighted that she passes the baton of CEO to Sofie Franzen who, as Deputy CEO of Together Co, has proven her commitment to achieving lasting change in Brighton and Hove.”