Player Sponsor Spotlight: British Heart Foundation

• 14 Nov 2025
• News

We’re delighted to welcome British Heart Foundation as the proud sponsor of club centurion, Scotland international and British and Irish Lion, Pierre Schoeman for the 2025/26 season.

British Heart Foundation has been at the forefront of improvements in cardiovascular care since 1961. As the nation’s leading heart charity we are investing in world leading research here in Scotland to stop the development of heart disease, save those who have it and support over 730,000 in Scotland today living with the effects of heart disease.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION HERE

Can you tell us a bit about yourself / your business and the journey that brought you here? 

The city of Edinburgh is at the heart of the BHF’s story with some of our earliest grants, research and breakthroughs being led by teams at the University of Edinburgh. This commitment to clinical and academic excellence in pursuit of answers relating to cardiovascular disease is mirrored in the players, coaches and team around Edinburgh Rugby and we’re delighted to be partnering with them to highlight the continued impact of heart disease in the city and beyond and also the work we are doing in Edinburgh and across Scotland to tackle the problem. 

What makes you or your organisation unique, and what values are most important to you?
Our values at the British Heart Foundation are what makes us so successful, we are driven in our work to ensure everyone effected by heart disease lives a longer, healthier life; we are informed through our research and our patient and professional communities in all that we do; we are compassionate in how we engage with and speak on behalf of our patient groups; and most importantly we are brave in our endeavour to tackle heart disease. 

What inspired you to support this player as a sponsor?
This partnership marks a significant first for us, allowing us to pursue an initiative of this nature. For the BHF, we sought a player who excels both on and off the field, demonstrating a deep passion for their local community. We believe Pierre perfectly embodies these qualities. 

In what ways does the player reflect qualities or values that resonate with you or your organisation?
Pierre is not only a shining light in Edinburgh and Scottish Rugby but he is also a guiding light. His work on and off the field and his commitment to be better every day embodies all that we strive to be at the British Heart Foundation.

As an organisation we are a leading light in funding medical research that will change people’s lives, but we also understand that with that comes the responsibility to guide the future scientists of tomorrow, to tackle engrained challenges in society that contribute to heart disease and poorer outcomes for some communities.

Our commitment to excellence is mirrored in Pierre on and off the field and we see him as a great ambassador for the charity in Edinburgh. 

What do you admire most about the player, both in their sporting career and as an individual?
It’s hard not to admire Pierre’s rugby career, over 100 appearances for Edinburgh, 42 caps for Scotland and of course a British and Irish Lion. 
 
His whole career represents excellence and commitment to a cause and that resonates strongly with us at the BHF. 
 
Having spent some time with Pierre I was very impressed how relaxed, engaged and contentious and individual he was and seeing him engage with some our our supports showed me exactly why he was the right player for our partnership. 

How do you hope this sponsorship will benefit your brand / business?
Working alongside Edinburgh and Pierre will undoubtedly give the BHF a platform to showcase the breadth of work we do to a wider community. 

What are your hopes for the future of this sponsorship and your relationship with the player and Edinburgh Rugby?
We hope at BHF to build on our sponsorship and find a strong ambassador for the charity.

Moving forward we’d like to see the work of the BHF in Edinburgh and Scotland, become synonymous with Edinburgh and Pierre and a wider audience understand our work and in turn support it. 

If you could share one message with supporters / local businesses about your involvement, what would it be?

In Scotland today there are over 730,000 people living with the effects of heart disease – there isn’t a person in Scotland who doesn’t know someone who has been affected. 
 
The British Heart Foundation, are supporting those individuals and tackling some of the biggest question facing the future of heart health through our research here in the city of Edinburgh and across Scotland. 
 
We can’t do this without the support of the people of Edinburgh and Scotland and we’d like to thank you for your support.