Beth Wolfenden

I have worked in health improvement for over 20 years, beginning my career as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist at Burnley Leisure Trust, where I specialised in cardiac and stroke rehabilitation, exercise referral, smoking cessation, and weight management. After earning my MSc in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation from the University of Chester in 2012, I transitioned into public health in 2016 at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, leading on food, physical activity, healthy weight, and cardiovascular disease prevention. I was also proud to lead the Pennine Lancashire childhood obesity trailblazer programme and help develop the award-winning Breastfeeding Friendly Borough initiative.

Between September 2023 and July 2025, I was Head of Public Health Programmes at Tameside MBC, where I lead health improvement efforts for the council. I moved to Wigan Council in July 2025 and am now Public Health Service Lead with responsibility for health improvement, wider determinants and ageing well.

I joined Health Equalities Group as a trustee because I am deeply passionate about health improvement and enabling people to live and age well. HEG’s work is inspiring, and I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with them since 2019 on several programmes. I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact they make on our communities and local authorities, and I’m proud to support their mission.

Outside of work, I have a busy family life with three children, two stepchildren, and two grandchildren. I enjoy watching sports, especially as my youngest begins his journey in cricket and football. In my spare time, I love cooking, getting lost in a good book, and am currently working toward my Public Health Specialist Registration.