Jack Parsons

Jack Parsons is a British entrepreneur and public speaker recognized for his work in youth employment and social mobility. Parsons is the founder and CEO of The Youth Group, an organization focused on improving opportunities for young people across the United Kingdom and internationally. Known as the UK's Chief Youth Officer, he has been named among the top 50 kindest leaders by Financial Times.

Parsons' background includes growing up in a single-parent household and facing challenges related to social mobility. He has used these experiences to inform his commitment to supporting young people.

His entrepreneurial journey began with a school-based tuck shop, followed by an apprenticeship at a local insurance broker and a role at a recruitment firm, where he became a top biller. Parsons later founded "Yourfeed," a youth platform designed to match users with businesses based on skillset, which achieved significant growth and was described by Marketing Week and City A.M. as a LinkedIn for Millennials. He subsequently established The Youth Group, an enterprise dedicated to hiring, training, and mentoring young people.

The Youth Group has built a community of 1.7 million members and has facilitated employment for more than 95,000 young people through its programs. The organization also generates over 12 million weekly social media engagements. Parsons serves on several boards across government, private, and nonprofit sectors, including as an international advisor to the New Zealand Government, ambassador for homelessness with Big Issue Group, advisory board member for Co-op Group, and non-executive director for the Lord Mayor of London's apprenticeship company, the Association of Apprentices. He has also provided advice at 10 Downing Street on youth-related issues.

Parsons is an advocate for mental health awareness among young people, sharing his personal experiences to encourage open dialogue. After discussing his mental health journey on LinkedIn, he received 22,000 messages, prompting further advisory roles with the UK and New Zealand governments regarding youth challenges.

Expanding his reach in youth advocacy and career development, Parsons founded and hosts "My Duvet Flip," a careers show produced by Duvet Flip, a media company focused on work and life topics. The show has built a global following and has featured interviews with figures such as Rishi Sunak, Theo Paphitis, Matt Brittin, and Charlie Nunn. Parsons is a regular commentator on BBC, Sky News, and LBC, and continues to contribute to discussions on youth, entrepreneurship, and the future of work.