Professor Sir Stephen Holgate has been appointed as a Fellow of Elevate Great, an accelerator for social good which aims – via partnership – to identify, develop, and scale solutions for some of the UK’s most pressing social challenges.

Sir Stephen (pictured left) is one of the world’s leading authorities on respiratory health, the breathed environment, and the health effects of air pollution. His research has reshaped how asthma is understood and treated, and his work on air quality has turned that evidence into policy, regulation and public awareness.

One major area of focus for Elevate Great is indoor air quality in the UK, its impact on public health, and the inequitable way in which it affects the most deprived in society. Sir Stephen’s appointment as a Fellow significantly strengthens Elevate Great’s expertise and connectivity within the field of indoor air quality.

Children spend up to 90% of their time indoors, yet 1.5 million children in England alone live in substandard homes where environmental conditions are contributing to preventable illness and long-term disadvantage.

Professor Sir Stephen Holgate said:

“It is a privilege and a pleasure to join Elevate Great as a Fellow. I look forward to helping improve children’s health by cleaning up the air they breathe. Just as the food we eat shapes our health, so does the air we breathe. Tackling poor indoor air quality is an exciting challenge that promises to improve health and well-being across every stage of life.”

Dr Sophie Flemig, CEO of Elevate Great, commented:

“During our initial assessment of the impact of indoor air quality in the UK, we quickly recognised Sir Stephen’s important role. As well as being a pre-eminent expert, he is a trusted figure who has led co-operation in his field and delivered change which has improved lives. We are therefore thrilled he has agreed to be a Fellow of our organisation, a role in which he can provide us with his strategic advice and expertise. We look forward to working with him as we develop projects that can drive meaningful and lasting progress in this important area.”

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