Priscilla Kurewa becomes new BASW UK Chair

Priscilla will take over from our existing Chair Julia Ross CBE on 3rd September 2026 at the BASW AGM.  Warmest thanks and appreciation is extended to Julia for her outstanding support and leadership of BASW over the last four years.

In her election statement Pricilla shared her vision for BASW: 

• Strategic Champion for EDI & Membership Growth: I will weave Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion into BASW's core governance frameworks, ensuring the lived experiences of practitioners—especially from the Global Majority—inform national policy and accelerate membership growth. 
• Unified Four-Nations Leadership: I will expand our membership footprint across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland by ensuring BASW is locally responsive to distinct legislative contexts, giving every practitioner a tailored regional voice. 
• Primary Architect of Reform: I will leverage my extensive experience with regulators to ensure national policies are firmly grounded in social work values, positioning BASW as the indispensable professional home that every social worker needs. 
• Workforce Resilience: I will champion a "Learning Organisation" culture that prioritises emotional wellbeing and reflective space, delivering real-world protection and support. 

The election, which was managed on behalf of Civica Election Services (CES), concluded on 17th August at 12.00 noon.  We are also grateful to Fran Fuller and Cath Gormally for their commitment and involvement in the BASW Chair election campaign. 

Commenting, Priscilla said: 

“I’m grateful to all BASW members who have put their trust in me to take on this vitally important role at the heart of our professional association. 

“I’d also like to pay tribute to my fellow candidates, Fran and Cath for running hard fought and passionate campaigns full of fresh ideas for how we take BASW forward. It made for an invigorating election that demonstrated the strength and vibrancy of our BASW community. 

“The hard work starts now though, and I’m excited to engage with members across all four nations over the coming weeks and months to hear your priorities for BASW and to champion your needs and interests on Council.”

BASW Interim CEO, Sam Baron said:

“Huge congratulations to Priscilla on being elected to the role of Chair.  We are thrilled to welcome Priscilla at such an exciting and pivotal moment for BASW as we develop our new vision for the future.  Priscilla’s leadership and strategic guidance along with our other new appointments announced today will be invaluable as we look to the future for both our membership and the wider social work profession.

“I’m also thankful to all members who participated in our election – through voting, attending hustings, scrutinising the candidates and sharing your ideas too. I also want to thank all the candidates who took the time to stand and contributed to a lively contest. BASW is proudly a member-led organisation and this process captured that in the best possible light.

"This is an important moment for BASW and we are proud that as we go forwards, the voice and experiences of three very experienced Black women will help shape our future, together. 

“Finally I’d like to sincerely thank Julia Ross for her steadfast commitment, strong leadership and hard work on behalf of members and alongside our staff over the past four years. Julia has led from the front in all she’s done and we are very grateful for her contributions. I personally wish to thank her for her leadership, vision and wise words along the way, she will be missed by many."

Outgoing BASW Chair, Julia Ross added:

“Warmest congratulations to Priscilla on her election, I'm delighted to hear the news of this exceptional result. I also extend my thanks to both Cath and Fran for putting themselves forward and engaging so positively with members throughout this process.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Chair where I have had the honour of serving our members, all of whom are working tirelessly day in, day out to support our communities in challenging times. 

“Social work needs a strong professional association to thrive and I’m confident that Priscilla will bring energy, vigour and creativity to this role as she picks up the baton for our profession.”

Appointments to other key Council positions

New Elected Director Patriche Bentick

"I bring to this role a breadth of experience that spans frontline practice, management and national leadership. Across multiple local authorities I have worked in child protection, domestic abuse, children in care, and care proceedings. I understand the pressures members carry, because I share them."

New International Committee Chair Carlene Cornish

Carlene shared the following in here election statement: 

"As a current BASW International Committee member, I have gained crucial insights into BASW’s close partnerships with key international organisations such IASSW and IFSW. Originally from South Africa, I also have international social work experience in child protection and is therefore familiar with innovative social work practices in under-resourced countries tackling social problems. Having racial representation at BASW IC meetings is important, and with my lived knowledge of international social work, these qualities could further advance collaborative partnerships with international colleagues, especially from Global South countries."

Thanks and appreciation is also extended to Andy Merker and Omar Mohamed who took part in the election for Elected Director and IC Chair respectively.  We are very grateful for your time, commitment and energy in supporting the elections.  

Election details

Following a lengthy and robust election process, which was independently overseen by Civica Election Services and concluded on 17 August 2026, BASW members voted as follows:

BASW UK Chair

• Priscilla Kurewa – 50.4%
• Fran Fuller – 26.1%
• Cath Gormally – 20.7%

Invalid ballots – 2.8%

BASW Elected Director

• Patriche Bentick – 70.9%
• Andy Merker – 16.5%

Invalid ballots – 12.6%

BASW International Committee Chair

• Carlene Cornish – 54.5%
• Omar Mohamed – 32%

Invalid ballots – 13.5%

The successful candidates will take up their new roles at the conclusion of BASW's Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 3 September 2026. They will be joined by Lewis Roberts (BASW UK Vice-Chair) and Gavin Butler (BASW Policy, Ethics and Human Rights Committee Chair) who were accepted as unopposed nominations.