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British Heart Foundation

Notable UK charity

Also known as: Bhf, The Heart Foundation

The BHF is the UK's largest independent funder of cardiovascular research in the UK. For over 60 years BHF has pioneered life-saving research that has helped halve the number of deaths from heart and circulatory disease in the UK. BHF also helps provide vital support and information for the 7.4m people living in the UK with heart and circulatory disease.

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Activities & Mission

The BHF is the UK's largest independent funder of cardiovascular research in the UK. For over 60 years BHF has pioneered life-saving research that has helped halve the number of deaths from heart and circulatory disease in the UK. BHF also helps provide vital support and information for the 7.4m people living in the UK with heart and circulatory disease.

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Financial Information

Latest Income
£410,600,000
Latest Expenditure
£427,100,000

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 35.6%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 5% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income over £10M (sample: 685). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 34.2%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 2% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 11.2%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 20% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income over £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £162,300,000
Charitable Activities £300,000
Other Trading £237,500,000
Investments £10,000,000
Other Income £500,000

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £146,100,000
Raising Funds £47,200,000
Governance £500,000
Grants to Institutions £98,600,000
Other Expenditure £233,800,000

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2025
£410,600,000
£427,100,000£146,100,000£130,200,000£106,500,0004545 / 20000
2024
£398,900,000
£416,700,000£156,200,000£138,300,000£117,200,0004321 / 21000
2023
£381,300,000
£370,100,000£133,100,000£125,600,000£102,400,0004191 / 13900
2022
£351,700,000
£297,300,000£87,700,000£117,700,000£100,200,0004090 / 16500
2021
£225,300,000
£242,300,000£74,200,000£49,200,000£24,600,0004229 / 18000

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about British Heart Foundation

What does British Heart Foundation do?

The BHF is the UK's largest independent funder of cardiovascular research in the UK. For over 60 years BHF has pioneered life-saving research that has helped halve the number of deaths from heart and circulatory disease in the UK. BHF also helps provide vital support and information for the 7.4m people living in the UK with heart and circulatory disease.

How much income did British Heart Foundation report in 2025?

British Heart Foundation reported total income of £410.60m and reported expenditure of £427.10m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is British Heart Foundation?

British Heart Foundation has a program ratio of 35.6%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 5% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income over £10M (sample of 685 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was British Heart Foundation registered as a charity?

British Heart Foundation was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 26 March 1963 as charity number 225971. It has been registered for 63 years.

Who runs British Heart Foundation?

British Heart Foundation is governed by a board of 11 trustees. The chair of trustees is Karen Frank. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does British Heart Foundation operate?

British Heart Foundation operates across 4 areas: Isle Of Man, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.

Is British Heart Foundation a registered charity?

Yes — British Heart Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 225971.

Details

Address
British Heart Foundation
Greater London House (4th Floor)
180 Hampstead Road
London
NW1 7AW
Registration Date
26 March 1963
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
225971
Charity Number
225971

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Trustees

Karen Frank Chair
David Boynton
Dr Annalisa Jenkins
Louise Wilson FCIPD
Mark Ashton-Rigby
Mark FitzPatrick CA
Professor Brian Robert Walker
Professor Jane Armitage
Professor Simon Ray
Also governs 1 other charity
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed
Roisin Donnelly

Also Known As

  • Bhf
  • The Heart Foundation

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
Report a data issue