In this Dutch name, the surname is Van Heel, not Heel.
Marie-France van Heel
Born
Netherlands
Other name Frankie van Heel
Occupations
  • Businesswoman
  • marketing executive
Spouse
Andy Burnham
​
(m. 2000)​
Children 3

Marie-France van Heel is a Dutch-born marketing executive and the wife of former Greater Manchester Mayor and MP for Makerfield Andy Burnham.[1]

Van Heel was born in the Netherlands. She spent part of her early life in Belgium before moving to the United Kingdom to study at the University of Cambridge. She read English at Fitzwilliam College,[2] meeting Burnham in 1989 during his second year. In January 1992, while in a new relationship with Burnham and with his consent, she appeared on Blind Date, where she went on a blind date with Will Harris, who went on to become marketing director of the Conservative Party.[3]

Van Heel worked in marketing for most of her career, including a spell at BSkyB and three years at her own firm MVH Marketing; the latter dissolved in 2011.[4] She became chief strategy officer for London-based campaign designer Heavenly in 2022, joined the board of directors of Manchester-based electric vehicle charging network Be.EV in 2024,[5] and also became chief marketing officer of the latter's parent firm Iduna Infrastructure.[2][6] At the time of Burnham's 2026 Labour Party leadership election campaign, she was sitting on the board of Plan International and its profile stated that she had worked with Marie Curie, Alzheimer’s Society, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.[2][7]

Van Heel and Burnham married in 2000[8] and have a son and two daughters.[5][9][10] Van Heel joined Burnham for his 2015 Labour Party leadership election campaign but subsequently avoided the public eye.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Who is Andy Burnham's Wife, Marie-France Van Heel?". Grazia. 19 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  2. ^ a b c "Andy Burnham's wife, Marie-France van Heel: what she does, how they met and their family life together". Cosmopolitan. 19 June 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  3. ^ "Andy Burnham let his wife go on Blind Date and it's as amazing as it sounds". The Independent. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  4. ^ Clatworthy, Ben. "Who is Andy Burnham's wife, Marie-France van Heel?". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  5. ^ a b c Atkinson, Sophie (21 June 2026). "Why Andy Burnham's wife Marie-France Van Heel shuns the spotlight". The i Paper. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  6. ^ Curtis, Bill; Wright, Oliver. "Andy Burnham faces questions over contracts for campaign donor". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  7. ^ Bickerstaff, Isaac (22 June 2026). "Who is Andy Burnham's wife, Marie-France van Heel?". Tatler. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
  8. ^ "Andy Burnham's wife Marie-France attacks his rivals on Twitter". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  9. ^ "Andy Burnham's boast about his wife's business credentials is pretty cool". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  10. ^ Vacher, Dod (2001). Dod's Guide to the General Election, June 2001. Vacher Dod Publishing. ISBN 978-0-905702-32-2.