Equality, diversity and inclusion at BHF
We have a responsibility to tackle inequalities in all areas of our work. Since launching our EDI strategy in 2022, we have made good progress - but there’s more to do.
Explore our EDI strategyOur strategy for change
Heart and circulatory diseases are diseases of inequality, and BHF is committed to ensuring that equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) runs through every area of our work. This includes reducing heart health inequalities across the UK, creating a more diverse and inclusive cardiovascular research environment and improving the experience of BHF colleagues and volunteers.
Our ambitious EDI strategy, Igniting Change, details our objectives to 2025. But we won’t stop there. We hold ourselves to account each year on our progress to ensure we’re doing all we can for a better world and a better BHF.
Discover our EDI focus areas
BHF’s own workforce
We're committed to treating all people across our teams fairly, championing equality and flexibility, and diversifying our workforce.
Health inequalities
We’re dedicated to effecting change to reduce heart health inequalities and to ensure everyone gets the care and support they need.
Research inequalities
We're working to increase diversity within our research workforce and to address underrepresentation within clinical trial groups.
What equality, diversity and inclusion mean to the BHF
Equality
Where everyone is treated the same and fairness is encouraged. For the BHF, equality is our long-term goal.
Diversity
The range of differences amongst people and celebrating the whole package of who we are, including our gender identity, ethnicity, cognitive diversity, neurodiversity, disability and more.
Inclusion
Creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable, respected, and empowered to contribute.
At BHF, people are at the heart of everything we do, and I'm proud of all the hard work they have put into our EDI strategy - both in its development and in the vision of the world we want to live in.
The values that unite us
To reach our EDI goals, we must think and act differently. Based on what we have learnt, we have come up with four key commitments to judge ourselves against.
Be brave
Responding to challenges and opportunities involving equality, diversity and inclusion with ambition and courageous actions.
Be driven
Bringing in best practices and evidence to transform equality, diversity and inclusion outcomes both inside and outside the BHF.
Be compassionate
Actively listening to different perspectives with empathy, recognising we won’t get everything right the first time.
Be informed
Learning from different perspectives, voices, and experiences to make the best decisions and improve outcomes.
Find out more about our work in this area
- Our work on inequalities in heart health
- Discover our data and analyses showing the impact of inequalities on cardiovascular health.
- Gender and ethnicity pay gap report
- We've published commentary on our progress in closing our gender and ethnicity pay gap.
- Our research diversity data
- BHF is committed to addressing inequalities in research. We’ve published 3 years of diversity data related to our grant funding.
- Our environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments
- Read about our commitment to funding research in a responsible way and to becoming a more socially, environmentally and financially sustainable organisation.
- Our annual report and accounts
- In 2024/25, we raised £181 million to help fund groundbreaking research and support. Our annual report shows what we achieved with your help.