The chief executive of the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) is to retire next year.
Bridget Robb, who has been permanent chief executive since May 2014 and served two years as acting chief executive beforehand, will retire at the association’s annual general meeting on 27 April 2016. She will also step down from her post as general secretary of the Social Workers Union (SWU).
A BASW statement said Robb’s time as chief executive had been notable for major growth in membership and the association’s work growing wider, “including the formation of a new charitable BASW foundation, a strong union and the development of BASW’s 2020 Vision”.
Guy Shennan, chair of BASW, said: “We will miss her in the role of chief executive, but we have no doubt that, as a BASW member, Bridget will continue to provide an invaluable input to the organisation.”
Robb told Community Care: “I have been proud to serve as an active member and more recently as a member of staff. Its current strength in membership and organisationally ensures its ongoing success.”
She said it is likely that the roles of chief executive of BASW and general secretary for the SWU will be split in future, to accommodate for their growth.
Who do you think should be the next chief executive of BASW? Comment below.
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This would be a good opportunity to separate the professional association responsibilities from those of the trade union arm. BASW could and should assert (or re-assert) its role as the UK College of Social Work. This would be greatly enhanced by shifting the working methods and organisational focus to enhancing the role and contribution of members. The staff team would move to supporting the direct leadership, policy formulation and setting of practice standards by members. In this context the job title of chief executive may be inappropriate, if a shift to leadership by members is to be achieved.
Bill McKitterick