Robin Ireland

Since 1984, I have worked in a wide range of roles within public health, including establishing HEG (then Heart of Mersey) in 2002 and serving as Chief Executive until 2017. In that time, I helped to set-up Healthy Stadia in 2004, and later Food Active in 2013.

After stepping down as Chief Executive of the charity, I went on to study a PhD with the University of Glasgow, investigating the impact of Commercial Determinants of Health in Sport. Since then, I’ve also worked with the University of Dundee and Obesity Action Scotland. I was elected Member of the UK Faculty of Public Health through Distinction in 2015.

I now work as Honorary Director of Research with HEG and lead on the delivery of our Local Authority Healthy Weight Declaration, supporting councils to take a whole-systems approach to addressing healthier weight.

Outside of work, I am an avid cyclist. I also published my first book, ‘Sport, Sponsorship and Public Health’, with Routledge in 2023.