The Princess of Wales took a central role in a significant gathering of corporate leaders, championing the cause of early childhood development at a high-profile summit in the heart of London's financial district.
A High-Profile Gathering for a Vital Cause
Hosted by Kate's Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood, the event brought together senior executives from major firms including Aviva, Iceland, Ikea, NatWest Group, and Deloitte. The summit, held on Tuesday 18 November 2025, aimed to galvanise further action and secure crucial investment for the formative years of a child's life.
Adding a surprising and influential voice to the proceedings, former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate was scheduled to participate in a discussion with early years specialists. The Princess of Wales herself was set to deliver the opening remarks, setting the tone for the day's critical conversations.
The Business Case for Investing in Childhood
The central focus of the summit was the powerful role businesses can play in nurturing the next generation. In an era defined by rapid technological advancement, the discussions centred on how corporate investment in the early years can equip children with the essential social and emotional skills needed for the future workforce to succeed.
This event builds upon the landmark report published by the taskforce in the summer of 2024. The report outlined a series of strategic interventions, from fostering workplace and societal cultures that prioritise childhood to providing parents with greater resources and flexibility.
The Multi-Billion Pound Potential of Early Intervention
The business leaders were presented with a compelling economic argument. The taskforce's research highlighted that the nation could benefit from an estimated £45.5 billion by focusing on early childhood development.
This staggering figure could be realised through three key avenues: equipping young children with vital social and emotional competencies, supporting parents who wish to return to the workforce, and reducing long-term public spending on individuals who experienced adverse childhoods that could have been prevented with early support.
This initiative is a cornerstone of Kate's long-term Shaping Us campaign, which she launched in January 2023 and has described as her "life's work." The campaign is dedicated to raising awareness about the profound importance of the first five years in shaping a person's future health, happiness, and potential.
