Laura Lee (Dame)

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Laura Lee
Maggie's CEO Dame Laura Lee in 2026 (sq cropped).jpg
Born
Laura Elizabeth Lee

(1966-10-15) October 15, 1966 (age 59)
South Africa
Occupationsnurse, charity leader
Employer(s)NHS, Maggie's
Known fordriving force of leading charity
TitleDame

Laura Elizabeth Lee (born October 15, 1966) is a South African-born Scottish Chief Executive of Maggies. This is a Cancer Caring Centres Trust which she led since 1996 after being inspired by Maggie Keswick Jencks. She was made a Dame in the New Years Honours list in 2019.

Contents

Life

Lee was born in South Africa to Scottish parents called David and Betty. When she was seventeen she left home in Peterhead as she began a career in nursing even though her mother thought that she had no talent for caring. [1]

When she was 25 she took the bold step of leaving the NHS as one of her patient, Maggie Jencks had convinced her that inspiring places should be built where people could have their treatment for cancer. Lee had been Maggie's oncology nurse [2] and during her eighteen months of treatment they became friends. Maggie had studied at the Architecture Association and many of the country's leading architects were her friends. [3] The first one was built in Edinburgh, the second in Glasgow and the third in Dundee. The sixth one was in Fulhum and it was a contender in the 2009 Stirling architecture prize. It was designed by Richard Rogers's firm. [3]

In 2008 the president of the charity became Queen Camilla. [4]

In 2019 she was made a Dame in the New Years Honours list. [1]

In 2020 she was given the Pride of Scotland award by Queen Camilla in recognition of her achievement. [5]

In 2026 she was part of the 30th celebration event led by First Minister John Swinney at Bute House. On 4 February the British government announced their plan for cancer at Maggies at the Royal Free Hospital. Lee was there to her and welcome Health Secretary Wes Streeting 's plans. [6]

Private life

She is married to an oncology professor. She and Maggies were based in Edinburgh but the organisation and her family moved to London. However she counted the years she was away. [3]

References

  1. 1 2 "The Driving Force Behind Maggie's People's Postcode Lottery". www.postcodelottery.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  2. ↑ "Midweek". BBC. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Edemariam, Aida (2009-10-16). "Laura Lee: 'People say the building hugged them'". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  4. ↑ "HRH The Duchess of Cornwall became President of Maggie's in November 2008" . Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  5. ↑ "Outstanding Contribution - Pride of Scotland Awards" . Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  6. ↑ "Government launches new cancer plan at Maggie's | Maggie's". www.maggies.org. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
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