The appointment has been made to further support the University’s research, leadership education and impact work in social care.
Graeme has been Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Deputy Chief Executive at Birmingham City Council since 2017. He has over 20 years of experience in leading organisations across care and health including those facing major challenges. Graeme has been instrumental in developing innovative approaches which respond to local needs and national policy requirements to deliver improvements in the quality of life for local people in the city.
I am immensely honoured to have been appointed Honorary Professor of Social Care at the University of Birmingham. I see this as a great opportunity to strengthen the relationship between Birmingham City Council and the University of Birmingham, which will benefit both organisations and more importantly the citizens living in the city.
Graeme Betts, Birmingham City Council
In the 2021 New Year’s Honours, he was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for Services to Adult Social Care. He has been a champion for better use of evidence within social care and led partnerships with universities within Birmingham and the West Midlands region.
Commenting on his appointment as Honorary Professor of Social Care, Graeme Betts said: “I am immensely honoured to have been appointed Honorary Professor of Social Care at the University of Birmingham. I see this as a great opportunity to strengthen the relationship between Birmingham City Council and the University of Birmingham, which will benefit both organisations and more importantly the citizens living in the city. During my tenure as the Director of Adult Social Services in Birmingham, I have put citizens first and developed innovative ways of delivering services based on research and evidence.
“By strengthening the partnership between the Council and the University, I believe we can deepen our understanding of effective leadership and continue to develop innovative approaches to social care which improve outcomes for citizens. I am very much looking forward to taking up this new role later in the year and am delighted that this will be marked by my inaugural lecture which will address leadership styles and outcomes for staff and citizens.”
Birmingham is already a leading research institution in adult social care, but we want to do even more by expanding our team and including people who have practical experience at the top of social care decision-making. It is in this spirit that we share our delight that Graeme will be joining our social care academic team in the College of Social Sciences.
Professor Nick Vaughan-Williams, University of Birmingham
Birmingham City Council leader Cllr John Cotton said: "This is richly deserved recognition of Graeme's vast experience in social care, and he has an outstanding track record when it comes to developing innovative approaches, and most importantly, improving outcomes for service users. Graeme's insight and frontline experience will undoubtedly bolster The University of Birmingham's valuable work in the area of adult social care."
Professor Nick Vaughan-Williams, Head of the College of Social Sciences, said: “Social care has been a tough topic for successive national and local governments to grapple with, in relation to funding, increasing demand, and retaining skilled workforce. Amid these challenges, the vital role which social care plays in people’s lives and its contribution to social justice can be lost. The University of Birmingham is already a leading research institution in adult social care, but we want to do even more by expanding our team and including people who have practical experience at the top of social care decision-making.
“It is in this spirit that we share our delight that Graeme will be joining our social care academic team in the College of Social Sciences. His decades of experience will further enhance our research and teaching in the area of adult social care. We are looking forward to working with him.”
Professor Robin Miller from the Adult Social Care Research Culture said: “The vital links between social care research, the lives of people and communities, and the work of frontline practitioners can sometimes get lost due to the busyness of day-to-day pressures and the many challenges which people and practitioners can face. Graeme has demonstrated how it is possible to grow these connections to help people have a better life and we look forward to him sharing his expertise and insights as part of our health and social care research team.”
Graeme will take up his new post on 1st September 2024. His first lecture, which is called Leading for outcomes in difficult times, is open to the public and takes place at 17.00 on Thursday 3rd October at The Exchange in Birmingham City Centre.
