Three individuals are set to be awarded MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours list for their role in preventing gambling-related harm.
Dr. Matt Gaskell, Dominic Harrison and Nicola Jaques were named among hundreds of others in the annual list, in which King Charles III bestows titles on individuals for their efforts across various sectors.
The awards range from an MBE, which is the lowest ranking grade for an Order of the British Empire award, all the way to Knighthoods and Damehoods.
Harrison and Jaques have been awarded their MBEs for “services to the prevention of gambling harms”, while Gaskell’s MBE relates to “services to people experiencing gambling harm”.
Jaques is the chair of GambleAware’s lived experience council and has held the post since August 2024.
She said she was “deeply honoured” to receive the MBE, with the recognition showing the importance of lived experience in the gambling harms sector.
She said: “This recognition is a shared one, belonging to every member of GambleAware’s lived experience council, all voices of the lived experience community and other organisations taking a meaningful approach to ensure experts by experience are at the heart of the prevention and reduction of gambling harm.”
Harrison has been a GamCare trustee since 2012 and also heads up the charity’s audit, risk and development committee.
A former Gala Coral CEO, Harrison also spent time with Bass prior to the sale of Gala to Ladbrokes in the late 1990s.
GamCare chair Margot Daly said: “I am delighted that Dominic has been recognised in this way. Throughout his many years with GamCare, and as chair of our audit committee since 2023, Dominic has brought compassion and common sense to the charity’s vital work.
“During this time, Dominic has seen the charity scale to help tens of thousands of people every year who need our support.
“I am thrilled for both Dominic and the recognition of GamCare’s essential work supporting those who need it most.”
Gaskell is the clinical lead for the NHS Northern Gambling Service, having founded the body and opened its first clinic in 2019.
The NHS Northern Gambling Service now has hubs in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and Preston.
Gaskell said: “This award recognises that gambling harm is a public health crisis of our time. I will continue to strive to prioritise population health over the pursuit of profit, and to create healthier environments for our citizens to thrive in.
“I dedicate this award to all those affected by preventable gambling-related harm, to the brilliant people who advocate for new gambling legislation and to many amazing colleagues with whom I have worked over the years treating addictive behaviour.”
Dr. Sara Munro, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust CEO, added: “I’m so proud to see Matt receive this honour.
“He spearheaded the creation of the NHS Northern Gambling Service and has successfully expanded it from one clinic to several operating across the North of England today in five years.”
The post Three MBEs awarded for gambling harm prevention services in King’s Birthday Honours first appeared on EGR Intel.
Dr. Matt Gaskell, GamCare trustee Dominic Harrison and GambleAware lived experience council chair Nicola Jaques all recognised for efforts in reducing harms
The post Three MBEs awarded for gambling harm prevention services in King’s Birthday Honours first appeared on EGR Intel.