CEO Update | ARMA

20 Million Reasons our new strategy matters

by Adrian Bradley, CEO, Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA)

Publishing a new strategy is always a moment to pause. Not just to look ahead, but to reflect on why the choices you’re making matter and why now is the right time to be ambitious.

ARMA’s new strategy is grounded in a simple but powerful truth: there are 20 million reasons to act. Over 20 million people in the UK live with a musculoskeletal condition. Each one is a reason – a person with a life, a job, a family, ambitions and frustrations – whose experience of pain, mobility and independence is too often overlooked in public policy.…

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A moment to reflect and a moment to act

by Adrian Bradley, CEO, Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA)

As we approach publication of ARMA’s new five-year strategy, this feels like an important moment to pause and reflect on the state of musculoskeletal (MSK) health, our sector, and our Alliance.

The challenges are clear. Community MSK waiting lists remain among the longest in the NHS, leaving too many people waiting in persistent pain and unable to work, care for family, or participate fully in everyday life. In many areas, MSK health still lacks clear system leadership.…

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An important year ahead

by Adrian Bradley, CEO, Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA)

I’m not sure whether to start with excitement for the year ahead… or an apology for this newsletter arriving later than planned thanks to a small but mighty IT saga behind the scenes. Let’s call it proof that even in a digital age, progress still occasionally involves turning things off and on again.

But delays aside, there’s a real sense of momentum building across our community. This is going to be a pivotal year for ARMA and for MSK health.…

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A Christmas Message from ARMA’s CEO

by Adrian Bradley

As the year draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on my first six months in post. Since joining ARMA in June, I’ve met almost all our members and associate members. I’ve been heartened by your generosity, honesty, and commitment to improving MSK health for millions of people.

I’ve drunk more tea and coffee than is advisable (although some were ‘virtual’, so they don’t count), heard brilliant ideas from every corner of the MSK community, and come across more jargon, acronyms and abbreviations than I knew existed.…

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Beyond the NHS: A vision for neighbourhood health

by Adrian Bradley, CEO, Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA)

At ARMA, our vision for neighbourhood health goes far beyond the NHS. The NHS is, of course, a vital part of our lives and a cornerstone of care but health is not created in hospitals or clinics alone. It is shaped in the places we live, work and connect, in our homes, schools, workplaces, parks, and communities. Neighbourhood health is about recognising that wellbeing depends as much on the social, economic, and environmental conditions around us as it does on clinical services.…

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Better MSK health is the foundation of our future prosperity and wellbeing

by Adrian Bradley, CEO ARMA

The link between health and economic activity has become a central focus of policy. New analysis from the ONS and NHS England, highlighted by the King’s Fund, shows how health and work are closely connected. Poor health reduces employment and productivity, and long NHS waiting lists hold people back from returning to work. Improving musculoskeletal (MSK) health will undoubtedly deliver major economic benefits. Fewer people in pain means fewer absences, more people able to stay in work, and greater productivity.…

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Reflections on opportunities for better MSK health

by Adrian Bradley, CEO ARMA

Throughout my first three months in post, I have been constantly struck by the breadth, diversity, expertise and impact of ARMA’s member organisations. Last week I had the pleasure of being a guest of the British Orthopaedic Association at their Annual Congress in Liverpool. Under the theme of ‘Preventing Harm & Transforming Lives’, I attended inspiring sessions on topics as far ranging as integrating orthopaedic clinical practice with support for patients’ lifestyle modification, reducing unnecessary hospital stays in arthroplasty, calls for a national ACL injury prevention programme and, perhaps most soberingly, our preparedness for war.…

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A turning point for MSK health

– but only if we choose to take it

by Adrian Bradley, CEO, Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA)

I hope you are enjoying the summer.

This month we are pleased to have a guest blog from Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Versus Arthritis.

In her blog, Deborah rightly identifies the huge opportunity presented by the 10 Year Health Plan for England and the serious risk that MSK conditions continue to be sidelined.

As the alliance representing about forty diverse patient organisations and professional bodies across the MSK community, ARMA welcomes the Plan’s ambition but we are under no illusions.…

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ARMA Newsletter blog July 2025

by Adrian Bradley, CEO ARMA

Welcome to the latest ARMA newsletter.

My first month has flown by. I have been delighted to meet many members, partners and stakeholders and to listen to your hopes, ambitions and concerns. I will continue to be in listening mode as we navigate our way towards creating our strategy for 2026 and beyond.

Several people have said to me how difficult it must be to start at such a time of change. It was forever thus.…

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Looking Ahead, Together

by Adrian Bradley, CEO ARMA

Firstly, I would like to add my voice to the chorus of appreciation and good wishes for Sue Brown who left the organization recently after eight years of distinguished leadership. I feel extremely fortunate to be inheriting such a strong legacy of relationships, influence and achievements. Sue can be rightly proud of her contribution, and I thank her for her service and her support to me during the handover period.

I also want to thank the Board of Trustees for their confidence in me, and I look forward to working with them to lead ARMA to continued success.…

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