The Brain Charity

The Brain Charity is excited to announce the appointment of Professor Gus Baker as its new Chair of Trustees, effective from January 14, 2025.

Professor Baker will be taking over for our long-standing, retiring chair, Professor Bill Chambers. A renowned clinical neuropsychologist with more than 30 years of experience, Professor Baker is a long-time advocate for people with neurological conditions and brings invaluable expertise to this important role.

Who is Gus Baker?

Professor Baker’s career as a neuropsychologist is marked by his leadership in the field of neurology. He is currently the Secretary General of the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE), the Vice President of Epilepsy Action, and has held prominent roles with the British Psychological Society and other key organisations.

His commitment to improving the lives of people with neurological conditions is evident in both his professional work and his advocacy efforts.

He is also known for his research into the cognitive, emotional, and social impact of neurological conditions, with over 300 published works. 

Fun facts about Gus

In addition to his professional achievements, Professor Baker has an interesting and varied personal history. At the age of 17, he held a world record and was listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

His portrait has been displayed in the National Portrait Gallery in London. His passion for endurance events is reflected in his participation in the Great North Run more than a dozen times and the London Marathon twice. 

A dedicated educator, Professor Baker has lectured and led workshops in 55 countries. His journey into academia began in 1980 when he arrived in Liverpool as a mature undergraduate and remained there until 2015.

Professor Baker is also married to a retired Professor of Medical Sociology from the University of Liverpool. 

He said:

“I am honoured to be appointed as Chair of Trustees at The Brain Charity. The charity plays a crucial role in supporting individuals with neurological conditions and their families.

“I look forward to collaborating with the Board and staff to build upon the charity’s success and further its mission to improve the lives of those it serves.”

Pippa Sargent, CEO of The Brain Charity, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Professor Baker as our new Chair of Trustees. His extensive experience, deep expertise, and dedication to our cause make him the perfect leader for this role.

“Gus was involved at the very start of our journey 30 years ago, working as a young clinician at The Walton Centre neurological hospital, and we are all very excited to have the opportunity to work with Gus again now, to shape the future of The Brain Charity.” 

Thank you Bill Chambers

On behalf of everyone at The Brain Charity, we extend our deepest gratitude to Professor Bill Chambers for his extraordinary service as Chair of Trustees.

Bill’s leadership, wisdom, and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in the charity’s remarkable growth and impact. While retiring from the Chair, he will continue to serve as a valued trustee, ensuring his invaluable expertise remains within the organisation.

To learn more about our full list of trustees, head to our trustees page here.