Leadership change at the British Association of Art Therapists

Our Chief Executive, Gary Fereday, has stepped down from his role at BAAT to pursue other career interests. Since joining us in 2021, Gary has led a comprehensive modernisation of the professional body. He left the organisation financially stable, strategically aligned, and professionally respected across the current healthcare and wellbeing sectors.

Over his time with us, Gary overhauled internal operations and worked closely with Council to develop a new strategic plan. Membership increased year-on-year. This growth was supported by a reshaping of the staff team and the implementation of a new website and brand identity, designed with members, which significantly improved the member experience.

Working with Council, Gary supported the development of new Articles of Association and Bylaws, and provided Council high-quality reporting, clearer financial information, and data-driven insights.

Gary worked with local members to increase the organisation’s presence and influence across the four nations, specifically strengthening its footprint in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

He also worked with Council to navigate the organisation through the challenges of emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully returning the organisation to in-person annual conferences while simultaneously diversifying the membership offer through the introduction of online self-directed learning courses.

Gary led the re-introduction of the organisation’s campaigning post-pandemic, increasing capacity to promote the benefits of art therapy to policymakers and the public across the UK again.

We invite you to join us in thanking Gary for his significant contribution and dedication and wish him the very best for the future.

Our Council has initiated a robust transition plan to ensure continuity for our members and partners, including the recruitment of a new interim CEO. Our mission as a professional body remains unchanged: we are committed to working with members and service users, building on the momentum of the last five years, to further promote the vital impact of art therapy across the UK.