The Princess of Wales appoints early childhood experts to advisory board
Katy Morton
Thursday, January 26, 2023
The Princess of Wales has appointed a group of eight early childhood experts to advise her on her ongoing work through the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which she set-up.
The eight members from the early years sector, academia and science met with her Royal Highness, Kate Middleton, for the first time at Windsor Castle on Wednesday (25 January). They are:
- Professor Peter Fonagy, head of the division of psychology and language sciences at UCL and chief executive of the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.
- Professor Eamon McCrory, professor of developmental neuroscience and psychopathology, University College London.
- Dr Alain Gregorie, consultant perinatal psychiatrist and president and founder of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance.
- Carey Oppenheim, project lead at the Nuffield Foundation.
- Dr Trudi Seneviratne, registrar at the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
- Ed Vainker, co-founder of Reach Academy Feltham.
- Imran Hussain, director of policy and campaigns for Action for Children.
- Beverley Barnett-Jones, associate director at Nuffield Family Justice Observatory and Trustee at What Works in Children’s Social Care.
They will support the Princess and the Centre as work is accelerated to promote the importance of the first five years of a child’s life.
Several of the advisors have already contributed to the work of the Royal Foundation, helping to shape the Princess of Wales’ work, including changing the way people think about early childhood.
Full details of the new campaign were not given, but Kate told the group, ‘I am really excited for next week, there is lots coming out.’
She added, ‘This campaign's really to try and raise the awareness of the importance of this issue. And it's sort of what can we do collectively to keep the conversation going and what we do next.
'This campaign is really laying the foundation of why early childhood matters.'
Amanda Berry, chief executive of The Royal Foundation said, ‘Working with such an eminent group of people is an absolute privilege. I know their advice and experience is hugely valued by the Princess, and the whole Centre for Early Childhood team. As we continue to drive awareness of, and action on, the transformative impact on early years.’
The Royal Foundation’s Centre for Early Childhood has also appointed a new director, Christian Guy (pictured right). 
Guy will join The Royal Foundation in late spring from Justice & Care – the international anti-human trafficking NGO, working alongside Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales to drive awareness and action on the extraordinary impact of early childhood, to transform society for generations to come.
