The West Ham United Foundation proudly celebrates Dame Marie Gabriel, Chair of NHS North East London and one of our esteemed trustees, who was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in The King’s 2025 New Year Honours List. This distinguished honour recognises Marie’s unwavering dedication to health, equity and social justice throughout her remarkable 45-year career.
Dame Marie's leadership extends beyond boardrooms and policies; her work touches lives in profound and lasting ways. As the founding Chair of NHS North East London Integrated Care System, she has been pivotal in shaping health services that prioritise equity and improve outcomes for diverse communities. Her role on the Mayor of London’s Health Board and as Co-Chair of the London People Board further amplifies her influence in tackling systemic health disparities.
Reflecting on the recognition of the award, Dame Marie shared: “It’s an honour for me, but it’s also an honour for all those I work with. The question now is: how do I use that title to do even more for the people of East London, North East London and beyond?” This humility is emblematic of her leadership style; grounded, authentic and deeply connected to the communities she serves.
At the heart of her work is a belief in collective progress. “One person’s progress is never, ever about what they do as an individual. It’s the result of lots of other people, lots of organisations, working alongside them, supporting them, enabling them, listening to their off-the-wall ideas,” she noted. This ethos aligns seamlessly with the West Ham United Foundation's mission to foster community well-being through collaboration and shared purpose.
Dame Marie's impact within the football community is equally inspiring. Recognised in the Premier League's 2020 Football Black List for promoting health in underserved communities, she understands the unifying power of sport. “The NHS couldn’t do it on its own. Football has the power to bring people together, to inspire, to create communities that support each other’s health and well-being,” she remarked. Her insights have been instrumental in guiding our health and community programmes, ensuring they reach and resonate with those who need them most.
Despite her accolades, Dame Marie remains grounded. “Please don’t anybody come to me and say, 'Dame Marie'. I’m still Marie,” she insisted with a smile. This authenticity endears her to all who work alongside her, reminding us that titles are secondary to the values and actions that define a leader.
Her recognition is not just a personal achievement but a tribute to the collective efforts of the organisations and communities she champions, but despite this Marie said she still struggles to believe she was nominated. She added: “Sometimes you just go, ‘oh my gosh, why me?' I sometimes get imposter syndrome when I think about it, but then I stopped thinking about me and started thinking about what this means for all the people I work with.”
As we celebrate Dame Marie Gabriel, we are reminded of the considerable impact that visionary, compassionate leadership can have. Her journey inspires us to continue our work with renewed passion, striving for a healthier, more equitable future for all.
