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21/3/2023

The Princess of Wales launches Business Taskforce for Early Childhood

HRH Princess of Wales with members of the Business Taskforce
HRH Princess of Wales with members of the Business Taskforce

Today, Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales launched her new Business Taskforce for Early Childhood.

Run by business, for business, the Business Taskforce will play an essential role in The Princess of Wales’ work to transform the way in which society prioritises and supports children and the ecosystems around them in their earliest years.

Early childhood is vital to the health of our economy and society, now and for generations to come. Given the key role of the business community in both the growth of our economy and in shaping our society, as well as the clear interest in developing a strong future workforce, this is an opportunity to come together to affect long-term change.

“We all have a role to play in building a supportive and nurturing world around children and those who care for them, and it is fantastic to see business leaders placing the subject of early childhood at the heart of their organisations.

Businesses play a key role within society and with their huge reach to their employees, consumer and the wider community, their involvement can have a transformative impact on the health and happiness of generations to come.”

— Amanda Berry, Chief Executive of The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales

The Taskforce will come together for its inaugural meeting today at NatWest’s headquarters in the City of London. It is composed of:

  1. NatWest Group

  2. Unilever

  3. Aviva

  4. Deloitte

  5. IKEA UK and Ireland

  6. Co-op

  7. The LEGO Group

  8. Iceland

NatWest Group Chief Executive, Dame Alison Rose, said: “I am delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales, and leaders from a wide range of sectors to our headquarters for the inaugural meeting of the Business Taskforce for Early Childhood. This is a critical issue for the future growth and success of our businesses, our economy and our society.

As business leaders, we have an important responsibility to the colleagues, customers and communities we serve. This Taskforce can deliver positive change by bringing together a wealth of experience across the private sector to help provide the support and resources that young children and their carers need to thrive.”

"I truly believe that by investing in early childhood, with a specific focus on social and emotional development, businesses in turn will see in the future… better communication, better working relationships, improved resilience, employees finding better work–life balance, less stress, more patience and understanding and increased job satisfaction.

Not only that, but the societal impact we could have, if we work together on this, could transform lives for generations to come. As the saying goes, it really does take a village."

— HRH The Princess of Wales

The creation of the Business Taskforce for Early Childhood follows the launch of Shaping Us, a long-term campaign spearheaded by The Princess of Wales. The campaign aims to transform the issue of early childhood from one of scientific interest to one of the most strategically important topics of our time. The campaign also aims to highlight that all of society has a role to play in building a supportive and nurturing world around children and those who care for them.

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