Marie Gabriel Black History Month GatenbySanderson

23 October 2023

Marie Gabriel CBE’s journey to leadership and dedication to social justice

Marie Gabriel CBE has over 20 years of NHS board experience and is currently independent chair of NHS NE London and Race and Health Observatory among other non-executive director roles. Marie shared her dedication to social justice and equity, as well as her journey into leadership with Serena Dobson, Senior Consultant in our Health team, as part of our Black History Month series, elevating the voices of Black women in leadership.

“At first I thought how can you be a social activist when you’re going to be part of the people that I’m trying to change? But then, on taking up my first role at Newham General Hospital as it was called then, I realised you could have real impact as a senior leader, particularly as a non-executive leader, on what people could experience in terms of care and what people could experience in terms of being staff.”

Alongside her role as independent chair of NHS NE London, the second-largest integrated health and care system in England, Marie is chair of the Race and Health Observatory, associate non executive on the UK Health Security Agency Advisory Board and a Commissioner for the Institute of Public Policy Researches Commission on health and Prosperity.

Marie was previously chair of the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust, and before that chair of East London Foundation Trust for eight years.

Marie’s incredible contribution to the NHS was recognised through the award of her CBE and her contribution to her local community, where she is a trustee of two charities, was recognised by the Award of Freedom of the Borough of Newham.

Thank you to Marie Gabriel CBE for taking the time to speak with us for Black History Month.

Watch more Black History Month interviews with inspiring leaders: