As the voice of plastic surgery in the UK, we aim to raise awareness of the breadth of plastic surgery, to promote innovation in teaching, learning, and research and to increase overall understanding of the profession. BAPRAS speaks for the majority of reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgeons providing services to patients in the UK today. Founded in 1946 in the aftermath of World War 2, as the British Association of Plastic Surgeons, the Association had the objectives of relieving sickness and protecting and preserving public health by the promotion and development of plastic surgery. The aim of the Association was to advance education in all aspects of plastic surgery. Today, these objectives remain. However, techniques and expertise have progressed to the extent that plastic surgery needs to be understood in a modern, wider context. While the majority of plastic surgery work is reconstructive, restoring form and function following illness or trauma, the world knows that some is aesthetic or ‘cosmetic', where people elect for plastic surgery to change form or appearance. As innovative techniques develop, both reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery inform each other. The one improves the other, and vice versa, which can only be in the interest of all patients. As the voice of plastic surgery, BAPRAS sees its role as increasing understanding of the scope of plastic surgery. We aim to raise the profile of plastic surgeons as an intrinsic element of care teams providing specialist care to patients with a wide range of conditions. Continuing our objective of advancing education, BAPRAS is always looking to promote innovation within the speciality of plastic surgery. Our website bapras.org.uk is a resource for plastic surgeons and other medical professionals.