Henry Gregg brings his wealth of experience from senior positions at The Health Foundation, National Housing Federation and multiple local authorities to the leading lung charity to drive forward its ambitious new strategy.
Asthma + Lung UK, the country’s leading lung charity, has appointed Henry Gregg to lead its External Affairs directorate in its mission to transform the nation’s lung health by challenging misconceptions about lung conditions, driving greater investment in respiratory research, and campaigning for cleaner air and better care for people with lung conditions such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Henry Gregg joins Asthma + Lung UK – which supports the 12 million people in the UK who will have a lung condition in their lifetime through its helpline, support groups, tailored website health advice and campaigning and research work – with a wealth of experience working with charities and government organisations.
Henry has previously worked at The Health Foundation, National Housing Federation and multiple local authorities in London, among others. He worked on the housing association sector’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire and was instrumental in transforming public engagement on COVID-19 in the London Borough of Newham, the local authority with the most initial deaths in the first wave of the pandemic and where the NHS COVID-19 app was trialled. He is also currently a trustee of Gingerbread, a charity that provides advice, support and community for single parents.
Henry Gregg will take up his new position on 6 June 2022, and joins just months after Asthma + Lung UK launched its new ambitious strategy, Fighting for Breath, and announced its rebrand from Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation.
Asthma + Lung UK says its new strategy and brand is urgently needed to shine a spotlight on the ‘shameful’ state of the UK’s lung health. Lung disease is the third biggest cause of death in the UK and yet less than 2% of publicly funded research is spent on lung research. There are still misconceptions about lung disease which stop people from being able to protect themselves and prevent them from coming forward for diagnosis and treatment.
Asthma + Lung UK launched its new strategy and brand in February 2022 with a key mission to cut deaths from lung disease by 20% over the next five years. The charity also has new brand values – courage, pushing for better, empowering its people to be their best, listening and understanding, and working as one – which Henry will work to embed across the External Affairs directorate and the organisation.
Sarah Woolnough, CEO of Asthma + Lung UK, said:
“I’m delighted to welcome Henry Gregg to Asthma + Lung UK, as we work together to embed our new strategy to improve diagnosis and care for people living with lung disease, challenge misconceptions about lung health and drive much-needed investment into research and innovation. With a strong track record of inspiring organisations to deliver campaigns that have changed public perception and government policy, I’m confident Henry will be a great addition to our Executive Team and an inspirational leader for our External Affairs directorate as we strive to transform lung health.”
Henry Gregg, new Director of External Affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, said:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has firmly placed lung health at the forefront of people’s mind, and there’s never been a better time for Asthma + Lung UK to use this momentum to drive forward its ambitious strategy. I’m excited and honoured to take the reins at this pivotal time for the charity and look forward to bringing my leadership experience and passion for the cause to make real change for the 12 million people in the UK who will develop a lung condition in their lifetime.”
Notes to Editors:
For more information, please contact the press team on 0207 786 4949 or press@asthmaandlung.org.uk.