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Nicola Jaques, Dominic Harrison and Matt Gaskell, three of Britain’s leading figureheads in gambling harms prevention have been awarded MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Each recipient has played a distinct role in pushing forward new thinking and structural change in how British authorities view and tackle problem gambling harms. The trios work spans clinical delivery, lived experience advocacy and governance core pillars in the wider effort to reduce gambling harm across British communities.
Jaques: lived experience to understand biggest harms
Nicola Jaques, Chair of the GambleAware Lived Experience Council, was recognised for her work amplifying the voices of those directly affected by gambling addiction. As chair, she has helped establish lived experience as a cornerstone of national policy development and programme design.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the MBE on behalf of GambleAware’s Lived Experience Council,” she said. “This award is a powerful acknowledgement of the wider gambling harms sector’s role in driving meaningful change.”
Jaques underlined the importance of education, systemic reform and collaboration with those impacted.
She also singled out the Beacon Counselling Trust and the National Gambling Support Network for adopting whole-family and community-based models of care. “Supporting education programmes and encouraging system change will always be at the heart of my commitment to this cause,” she added.
Harrison: Pioneer of GamCare comprehensive support
Dominic Harrison, a trustee of GamCare and Chair of its Audit Committee, was also recognised for his long-standing contribution to the sector. With senior roles in Ladbrokes and Gala Coral on his CV, Harrison brought commercial acumen and oversight to one of the UK’s most critical support providers.
“Dominic has brought compassion and common sense to the charity’s vital work,” said GamCare Chair Margot Daly. “This recognition is also a tribute to the frontline teams who deliver support services every day.”
Harrison’s tenure has coincided with a sharp increase in GamCare’s capacity, now reaching tens of thousands of individuals annually through its national helpline, treatment network and digital tools.
Gaskell: The Architect of NHS gambling clinics
Matt Gaskell, Consultant Psychologist and founder of the NHS Northern Gambling Service, was awarded for pioneering the NHS’s direct intervention model. Since 2019, he has expanded the service to six hubs across the North of England, integrating clinical care into the public health system.
“This award recognises that gambling harm is a public health crisis of our time,” Gaskell said. “I dedicate this to all those affected by preventable gambling-related harm.”
Gaskell, who also advises government and helped author national clinical guidelines, has been vocal in calling out the commercial practices of the gambling sector, arguing for regulation that puts population health above profit.
Dr Sara Munro, Chief Executive of Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, praised Gaskell’s contribution. “Matt’s work has saved lives. He has been instrumental in building the NHS Northern Gambling Service into a model of care and a driver of policy reform.”
Gambling Harms enters new strategy
The honours come as the UK’s gambling harm framework enters a transition period. Since April, a new national strategy has been rolled out under the joint direction of the NHS and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), aimed at scaling public health-led interventions.
However, the long-term role of third-party services—including charities and community-led groups—remains unresolved. The NHS and OHID have yet to publish a formal proposal detailing how non-NHS providers will be governed or funded under the new system.
As policy shifts continue, the work of Jaques, Harrison and Gaskell underscores the critical role of joined-up leadership combining clinical rigour, governance and lived experience to tackle one of the UK’s most pressing behavioural health challenges.
