2024 – CEO the year ahead
As I sit here writing this piece for our New Year 2024 E-Positive Pressure, it's an opportunity to look back at 2023 but also forward to 2024 and the year ahead.
As I sit here writing this piece for our New Year 2024 E-Positive Pressure, it's an opportunity to look back at 2023 but also forward to 2024 and the year ahead.
But before I do like everyone it's that time of year to make some New Year's resolutions. Last year was a busy year both personally and professionally. On a personal note, with two children under 4, a house move, renovations and the challenges associated with running a small charity during a difficult economic climate like many my diet and exercise regime has not been that of a CEO of a blood pressure charity in recent months. In 2024 my New Year resolution is to overhaul my diet, reduce my salt intake and increase my aerobic activity so please do not think you’re alone if you find these things a challenge through our busy everyday lives¸ and I will highlight how I’m getting on in our April E-Positive Pressure.
Firstly, before I look back briefly over 2023, I want to say a big thank you to all our members, staff, trustees and partners who without your help and support we would not be able to reach so many people with much needed advice and guidance on blood pressure which I’m sure has saved many lives.
I can’t believe back in August I had been CEO of BPUK for two years, time certainly does fly and no more than in 2023. As we step completely out of the pandemic, 2023 saw more and more things open up, with more blood pressure checks and awareness raising, and our online shop of resources certainly saw an increase in orders.
Two main highlights are Know your Numbers! Week back in September which saw Blood Pressure UK trending on X (formerly Twitter) for the first time since 2020. We also had a huge amount of activity from our partners with 585 registered to take part across the UK helping to promote online the importance of home blood pressure monitoring, and in-person blood pressure checks, or running Pressure Stations to take the publics blood pressure in a range of settings from the NHS, to shopping centres and in businesses as well as nearly 300 pieces in various media outlets from radio, tv to national and local newspapers.
We also in partnership with Kinetik Wellbeing launched Mybloodpressure.co.uk and if you haven’t already registered for free then please do look at this excellent resource to help you manage your blood pressure. There’s an article within this newsletter with more information.
So, as we look forward to 2024 there is still a huge amount of work to do to reach the estimated 16 million people in the UK with high blood pressure and the one in three who are unaware. I want to thank you for your continued support, whether through promoting our services, being a member, making a donation, or taking part in a fundraiser. None of this is possible without you, so from me a huge thank you and best wishes to you all for 2024!
Phil Pyatt
CEO