BASW appoints Professor Sam Baron as interim chief executive

Temporarily taking over the reins from Ruth Allen, who stepped down last week, Professor Baron said she was honoured to lead the association while the process of appointing a permanent successor is carried out. 

Baron has been the National Director for BASW Cymru since October 2023.  Having qualified as a social worker over 40 years ago, her career has focused on development of the profession and supporting social workers in their professional development and day to day practice.  Prior to BASW, Baron was Director of Quality, Improvement, Business Development and Performance for a large English local authority, where she returned to professional practice after many years as an academic. 

Professor Baron said: “As a qualified social worker for over 40 years, it is an honour to be appointed Interim Chief Executive for BASW, my own professional association. I have always wanted to be a social worker, and this has given me a strong grounding as I have navigated many different roles and responsibilities in social work.

"With thanks to the outgoing CEO, Ruth Allen, a change in leadership heralds a change for BASW. I am looking forward to driving our future vision alongside our staff and membership, and my priority is to bring about change and recognition that BASW is THE voice for social work and is THE organisation for social workers. I am now calling on ALL social workers to join BASW, be part of our association, be proud of our profession and most importantly, to stand together to strengthen our profession. BASW is here for you.”

BASW UK Chair, Julia Ross added her congratulations:

“We are absolutely delighted to have Sam on board as the interim CEO and I’m excited to be working closely with her as we turn over a new chapter for BASW. 

“Sam brings a wealth of professional practice and leadership experience to the role, and her strategic and ambitious approach will be integral to continuing the delivery of the highest standards of support, representation, and services we offer to our members as we embark on our new five-year business plan.

“BASW’s role as the leading voice for social work has never been more important. As the UK’s largest professional association for social work, we hear from social workers everyday about the challenges they face – from high workloads and uncertainty around AI, to increasing regulator fees and lack of funding across social care.

“Rest assured, BASW is listening, and using our growing influence in all four UK nations to drive the positive changes our profession desperately needs. Sam’s strong track record as a proactive, visionary leader who is passionate about achieving the best for our profession makes her well positioned for advancing this important work.”

The news follows the departure of Dr Ruth Allen, who having spent nearly a decade at the helm, left BASW to further her work in the field of international social work, and will continue to be involved with BASW in an advisory capacity over the next two years, focusing on international social work.