Press releases

BAAF Chief Executive retires after leading the charity for over a decade

Issued: 1 November 2005

After 10 years at the helm of BAAF, Felicity Collier has announced her decision to retire in June 2006. Recruitment for a new Chief Executive will start in November 2005, aiming at leadership overlap and continuity.

Anthony Douglas, Chair of BAAF, says: "Felicity has transformed BAAF through her great drive, skill and charisma. By representing all those who play a part in delivering services to vulnerable children in the UK, she has become a trusted and credible public figure, respected by Ministers and front-line staff alike. She has raised the profile of child care services in the UK, has repeatedly spoken out on several big issues facing children, their families and their social workers and been a significant influence on the shape of recent child care and adoption legislation. Under her leadership, BAAF has expanded year on year and has won new contracts like the National Adoption Register, and has raised funds to support new landmark projects."

He adds: "On a personal note, it has been a privilege for me to work with her and to see at first hand the way in which the leader of a relatively small organisation can make such a massive national impact. We wish her a long and happy retirement, although knowing Felicity, she won't be quiet for long!"

Felicity Collier, Chief Executive of BAAF, says: "I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the highly talented and knowledgeable people associated with BAAF and together we have helped make it possible for more children than ever before to have a secure and loving family life through adoption and fostering. BAAF has a hugely committed Chair and Board of Trustees, whom I have always found accessible and supportive, and benefits from the advice of expert multidisciplinary committees which add depth and breadth to our work.

"Now is the right time for me personally to change direction but BAAF has an incredibly busy year ahead in 2006 with groundbreaking new developments. As we celebrate our 25th Anniversary, we will be expanding our service into Northern Ireland, develop our family finding services to include direct involvement by disabled children and creative use of the internet and supporting our members implement new children's and adoption legislation across the UK. It is a wonderful time for a new chief executive to join the organisation and to bring renewed vigour to improving the life chances of children in public care."

Notes to Editors

• Felicity Collier qualified in social work in 1978 and gained an MPhil at Brunel University in 1994. She worked as a child care social worker, divorce court welfare officer, guardian ad litem, training manager and assistant chief probation officer in Oxfordshire before joining BAAF in 1995. Readers of Community Care voted Felicity the most influential person in social care for children in 2005.

For more information, contact Harvey Gallagher, Director of Marketing & Communications (020 7593 2047, 07703 473124), harvey.gallagher@baaf.org.uk