In memory of Professor Graham MacGregor CBE
We are deeply saddened to share that our Chair, Professor Graham MacGregor CBE, has passed away. A dedicated clinician, researcher and mentor to many, Graham devoted his career to preventing cardiovascular disease by improving food environments in the UK and around the world. He was a constant source of inspiration and support to our team, and his vision will continue to guide our work at Action on Salt and Sugar. 
A life in medicine and public health
Graham was Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Queen Mary University of London’s Wolfson Institute of Population Health, an Honorary Consultant at Barts Health, and a Visiting Professor at St George’s. Alongside decades of clinical work and teaching, his research focused on hypertension and the role of diet, salt, and potassium in cardiovascular risk.
Turning evidence into action
Beginning in 1996, Graham spearheaded a UK-wide push for evidence-based policy change on salt. He advocated for independent monitoring and category-specific reformulation targets that promoted clear industry accountability. This was adopted by the Food Standards Agency and helped reduce the salt content of everyday foods and, in turn, population salt intake, blood pressure and cardiovascular disease mortality in the UK.
From 2005, he took this agenda international, supporting governments and partners to set and deliver national salt targets, including mandatory policies in Portugal and South Africa.
In 2014, recognising the need to tackle excess sugar, he expanded the charity’s remit beyond salt and incorporated sugar reduction into our mission, laying the foundations for Action on Salt and Sugar.
Graham’s commitment to patients extended beyond policy. He founded Blood Pressure UK in 2000, creating a trusted source of information and an annual national “Know Your Numbers!” campaign that brought blood pressure checks to communities across the UK.
Honours and legacy
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to cardiovascular disease prevention, Graham was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2019. Graham demonstrated the power of determined, evidence-based advocacy, and because of his work we now see foods with lower salt and sugar on supermarket shelves, reformulation standards embedded in government policy, and a powerful international movement for healthier food. Action on Salt and Sugar will honour his legacy by redoubling our efforts to reduce excess salt and sugar in the food supply and to secure strong, accountable nutrition policies in the UK and worldwide.
We are inviting people to share their condolences and memories of Graham on his condolence website.
