Major companies to support Kate's launch of early childhood business task force

The Princess of Wales is launching a business task force on early childhood, with global firms including Unilever, Ikea, Deloitte and Lego on board.

Kate will host a kick-off task force meeting at NatWest’s headquarters in the City of London on Tuesday, with Aviva, Co-op and Iceland among the other major companies joining her.

NatWest Group chief executive Dame Alison Rose described it as a “critical issue” for the future growth and success of the UK economy and society.

Royal visits in London — Kate during a visit to an early years foster unit in north London (Ben Stansall/PA)

The meeting will discuss how the business community can build a supportive and nurturing world around children and those who care for them.

Kensington Palace said the task force will play an “essential role” in the princess’s approach to transforming the way society prioritizes young people in the early years of their lives.

Amanda Berry, Chief Executive of the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, said: “We all have a part to play in building a supportive and nurturing world around children and those who care for them, and it’s great to see business. leaders placing the issue of early childhood at the center of their organizations.

“Businesses play a key role within society and with their enormous reach to their employees, consumers and the community at large, their involvement can have a transformative impact on the health and happiness of generations to come.”

Round table on the early years of the Duchess of Cambridge — Kate at a panel discussion at the Royal Institution in London, hosted by the Princess and the Royal Foundation Center for Early Childhood (Chris Jackson/PA)

Dame Alison of NatWest said: “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 colleagues, customers and the communities we serve.

“This task force can bring about positive change by bringing together a wealth of experience from across the private sector to help provide the support and resources young children and their caregivers need to thrive.”

The Early Childhood Business Task Force will be “run by business, for business,” Palacio said.

It follows the launch of Shaping Us, a campaign spearheaded by Kate and described as ‘her life’s work’, aimed at raising the profile of early youth development.

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