Richard Henfrey, CEO of Blackmores Ltd.
Unlike folks who used to declare that “I will worry about my health only when I’m sick”, snug in the knowledge that there is some form of government help available, most people today do not want to fall ill in the first place and are taking note of the things they can do to stay healthy. As for those who remain nonchalant because death is inevitable no matter what one does, Blackmores Ltd CEO Richard Henfrey says with a soft chuckle: “We all recognise that. But we would all like — even those who say ‘I don’t care when I go’ — to live free of pain and as full a life as we can up till the end.”
And there lies the motivation for everybody to think about looking after themselves. But the resolve to take action can be an uphill struggle.
“For all the great trends, there will always be some people who are super-engaged and some who are not. My job is to encourage people to learn a bit more. Helping consumers achieve optimal health and well-being is really what our business is about. I think people are interested in taking better control of their health and being proactive, but they don’t know where to start, particularly in a country like Malaysia, where people love their food.”
An active lifestyle and healthy eating are good starting points. But increasingly, even those who eat well find they do not get enough of the nutrients they need from food. There are also those with specific needs, such as vegans, pregnant women and seniors, who may not get all the micronutrients they require from vegetables and fruit. So, Blackmores’ role is to supplement the diet with products that give the body what it needs and, over time, help slow down or prevent the onset of chronic diseases.
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