Appointment of new National Chief Social Work Adviser

Joanna Macdonald has been announced as the new National Chief Social Work Adviser to the Scottish Government and will take up post in December 2025. 

In this key advisory role of National Chief Social Work Adviser, Joanna will also serve as Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency. The National Social Work Agency will officially launch on 17 March 2026. This new dual appointment marks a significant step forward in strengthening social work leadership and collaboration across Scotland.

Joanna brings a breadth of experience, having held senior leadership roles across both rural and urban communities in Scotland, including NHS boards and local authorities, and most recently as Chief Officer of Clackmannanshire and Stirling Integration Joint Board. Joanna was previously Deputy Chief Social Work Adviser (2021–24), where she worked closely with Iona Colvin.

Iona Colvin, the outgoing Chief Social Work Adviser, is retiring at the end of 2025.