Liz Bayram, the chief executive of childcare charity the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years for the last 17 years, is to take the same role at Advice UK.

She takes the role in April and replaces Steve Johnson, who is retiring at the end of this month.

Bayram said: “I’m honoured to have the opportunity to lead AdviceUK as its next Chief Executive. I’m looking forward to building on the fantastic support AdviceUK trustees and staff already provide for members.

“More and more people are living with poverty, so the independent advice sector is dealing with increased demand whilst facing increased financial pressures too. So, my focus will be two-fold.

"Firstly, to work with colleagues to continue to ensure our support is sustained and responsive to members’ needs.

"Secondly, to ensure AdviceUK remains a strong advocate for members so decision makers and funders value their vital work and make the changes needed to support our sector to thrive.

Advice UK is the membership body of the UK’s advice networks and was originally formed in 1979 as the Federation of Independent Advice Centres before rebranding in 2004.

“As board members we’ve been able to plan carefully for this succession, thanks to Steve giving us a very long period of notice,” said Advice UK chair Baljit Badesha.

“All of us associated with AdviceUK owe Steve a tremendous debt of gratitude and we wish him a long and happy retirement. He’s left us in a uniquely strong position and, in choosing Liz as his successor, we’re confident that we’re poised for further improvements of benefit to members.”

We are officially announcing that our long-serving Chief Executive, Steve Johnson, is retiring at the end of March, to be succeeded by Liz Bayram. AdviceUK Chair says "All of us associated with AdviceUK owe Steve a tremendous debt of gratitude". https://t.co/2PxF4a5r93

— AdviceUK (@AdviceUK) March 16, 2023

Johnson, who joined the organisation as national director in 1996, added: “It’s been a privilege to lead this organisation and I am, of course, going to miss it enormously.

“There’ve been many challenges along the way, for sure, but I’m proud to be leaving it better equipped than it has ever been to make more of a difference by adding value to the work of our fantastic members and all of the people involved in them.

“I’m so pleased to have had the opportunity to work on a smooth handover with my successor, Liz Bayram, and I wish her every success.”

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