ADASS welcomes Sally Burlington as new CEO

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) is delighted to announce the appointment of Sally Burlington as our new CEO, starting in early November.

Sally is currently Deputy CEO and Director of Policy at the Local Government Association and has deep experience of social care issues. She had a wide-ranging career in policy and strategy development in the Civil Service before joining the LGA including six years in HM Treasury and a year at Kent County Council, during which time she reviewed the council’s procurement of social care and negotiated one of the first innovative Local Public Service Agreements with the Government. She was instrumental in developing the original Sure Start policy and, from 2004 to 2007, led the secretariat for Sir Michael Lyons’ Inquiry examining local government and how it is funded.

She joined the LGA in 2012 and has worked closely with ADASS since. Her strong appreciation of our purpose, values and ambitions, means Sally will be well placed to build on recent positive developments at ADASS. And with a new government bringing fresh plans for the adult social care sector, her experience will be invaluable in helping to build our engagement and influencing work, which we hope will deliver positive outcomes for both our membership and the sector more widely.

Anna Hemmings continues as our interim CEO until November, supporting us with the implementation of the outcomes from our recent governance, policy and membership reviews.

Richard Parry, Interim Chair of ADASS, said: “There was a very strong interest in the role, which is a reflection of how ADASS is viewed, and the contribution made by the previous ADASS Chief Executives Cathie Williams and Sheila Norris and, more latterly, Anna Hemmings.

“Sally impressed staff, external partners and ADASS members through the recruitment process with her thoughtfulness and practical ideas to enable ADASS to deliver effectively for our membership. We are very pleased that Sally is joining us at a pivotal point for ADASS as an organisation and the wider sector that we represent”.

Sally Burlington said: “I am delighted to be joining ADASS at such an important time for the adult social care sector and for people who draw on care and support. I have loved my time at the LGA and look forward to continuing to work with many brilliant colleagues, building on the huge expertise within ADASS, its membership and wider partners.”