London, England, United Kingdom, June 2025 – The British Heart Foundation has appointed Graham Rooke as Head of People Operations, marking a significant milestone for the organization as it advances its mission to fund life-saving research and support millions living with heart and circulatory diseases.
With over a decade of experience in human resources across sports, retail, and education sectors, Graham Rooke brings a proven track record of strategic HR leadership and operational excellence. In his new role, Rooke will be responsible for driving people operations and supporting a culture that empowers the British Heart Foundation’s workforce to deliver on its ambitious goals for public health and research impact.
Prior to joining the British Heart Foundation, Graham Rooke served at Leicester City Football Club for over five years, steadily advancing through multiple roles. As Head of HR, he was responsible for steering employee relations, coaching, talent management, and HR transformation, shaping a people-first culture for the club. His earlier positions at Leicester City FC included HR Lead and HR Business Partner, roles in which he built strong partnerships with leaders and teams to elevate performance and engagement.
Before his tenure at Leicester City, Rooke spent five years with Vision Express, where he progressed from HR Advisor to HR Business Partner. Here, he contributed to business partner support, coaching, and organizational development initiatives across the retail network, enhancing HR operations and delivering strategic solutions.
Earlier in his career, Rooke worked as HR Manager at Bluecoat Academies Trust, and previously as HR Officer at The Redhill Academy Trust, where he was responsible for delivering core HR services and fostering positive work environments within educational institutions.
Rooke’s academic credentials include a Master of Science (MSc) in Human Resource Management from Nottingham Trent University, equipping him with advanced expertise in HR strategy and people development.
About British Heart Foundation
The British Heart Foundation is a leading UK charity focused on funding research to prevent and cure heart and circulatory diseases. With a vision of a world free from the fear of heart disease, the BHF raises around £100 million annually to support ground-breaking medical research, provide life-saving information, and advocate for improved patient services. The organization’s efforts span heart disease, stroke, vascular dementia, diabetes, and related conditions, with a holistic approach to public health advocacy and community support.
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