Laura Lee (Dame)
Laura Lee | |
|---|---|
| Born | Laura Elizabeth Lee October 15, 1966 |
| Occupations | nurse, charity leader |
| Employer(s) | NHS, Maggie's |
| Known for | driving force of leading charity |
| Title | Dame |
Laura Elizabeth Lee DBE (born 15 October 1966) is a South African-born Scottish Chief Executive of Maggie's. This is a Cancer Caring Centres Trust which she has led since 1996 after being inspired by Maggie Keswick Jencks. She was made a Dame in the New Years Honours list in 2019.
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] She trained as a nurse in Edinburgh where she discovered that she liked the long-term caring that was given to cancer patients.[2]
When she was 25 Lee took the bold step of leaving the NHS as one of her patients, 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[3] 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.[4]
On Maggie's last day she looked at the plans of an old stable block that would be the basis of a corridor-less design by Richard Murphy.[5][2] That first one was built in Edinburgh, the second in Glasgow and the third in Dundee. The sixth one was in Fulham, London, and was a contender in the 2009 Stirling architecture prize. It was designed by Richard Rogers' firm.[4]
In 2008 the president of the charity became future Queen Camilla.[6]
In 2019 Lee was made a Dame in the New Years Honours list.[1]
In 2020 Lee was given a Pride of Scotland award by Queen Camilla in recognition of her achievement.[7]
In 2026 Lee was part of the 30th celebration event led by First Minister John Swinney at Bute House. On 4 February 2026 the British government announced their plans for cancer at Maggie's at the Royal Free Hospital. Lee was there to greet him and welcome Health Secretary Wes Streeting's plans.[8]
Private life
Lee is married to an oncology professor. She and Maggie's were based in Edinburgh but the organisation and her family moved to London. However she counted the years she was away.[4]
References
- ^ a b "The Driving Force Behind Maggie's People's Postcode Lottery". www.postcodelottery.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
- ^ a b Northrop, Alasdair (2015-12-09). "The Big Profile: Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie's Centres". businessInsider. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ^ "Midweek". BBC. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ a b c Edemariam, Aida (2009-10-16). "Laura Lee: 'People say the building hugged them'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
- ^ "Maggie's Edinburgh". HCD Magazine. 2005-08-31. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
- ^ "HRH The Duchess of Cornwall became President of Maggie's in November 2008". Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Outstanding Contribution - Pride of Scotland Awards". Retrieved 2026-02-04.
- ^ "Government launches new cancer plan at Maggie's | Maggie's". www.maggies.org. Retrieved 2026-02-04.