Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to read the citation for Marie Gabriel for the award of Honorary Doctor of Health Sciences.
Marie Gabriel is a hugely experienced and distinguished non-executive director within the health and care sector, and Chair of NHS North East London.
Marie has a long and hugely successful track-record serving large and complex bodies in the health and care sector. She was appointed to her first non-executive director role two decades ago and quickly became Vice Chair of Newham University Hospital Trust.
And since then, she has served a wide range of regional and national organisations with diligence, courage, integrity, and a relentless drive to enhance service provision, particularly for society’s most challenged and marginalised groups.
Marie has been non-executive director or chair of several trusts. She has served as a member of the National NHS People Board. And in 2020, she was appointed Chair of the National Race and Health Observatory, enabling her to powerfully promote equality in the development of the NHS and Care workforce.
Currently, Marie serves as Chair of NHS North East London, the second largest Integrated Health and Care System in England, serving 1.9 million residents across eight vibrant and diverse local authority areas.
She is also Co-Chair of the London People Board, a member of the Greater London Authority’s London Health Board, and a member of national advisory groups on leadership development and the NHS@75 Birthday.
Marie also serves on the Commission on Health and Prosperity within the Institute for Public Policy Research, and she is Associate Non-Executive Director of the UK Health Security Agency.
Despite a packed schedule, Marie also gives her time to serve as a trustee of two East London charities: East London Business Alliance, which harnesses the ability of city business to support social regeneration; and West Ham United Foundation, which uses the power of sport to improve individual health, educational and personal development.
Marie’s achievements have been widely acknowledged, both by her peers and wider society. In 2010, in recognition of her contribution to the London Borough of Newham, she was awarded Honorary Freedom of the Borough.
In 2017, she was a recipient of the Tony Cheeseman Community Award for her contribution to equality and the communities of East London. In the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours list, she was awarded a CBE for her outstanding contribution to the National Health Service. And she has consistently featured in the Health Service Journal’s list of the #most influential people in the NHS.
Marie has had a profound influence on the delivery of health and care services, focused on the needs of marginalised groups, and throughout her career she has championed equality and diversity.
She will be a powerful role model students in our Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine & Social Care. We are delighted to welcome Marie Gabriel to our Anglia Ruskin community.
Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to present Marie Gabriel for the award of Doctor of Health Sciences, honoris causa.