EXPERT GROUP TO ADVISE THE PRINCESS OF WALES’ WORK ON EARLY CHILDHOOD
Wednesday 25th January 2023
A group of eight experts from across academia, science and the early years sector has been appointed to offer strategic advice to The Princess of Wales and provide oversight of the work of her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. The Advisory Group will meet with Her Royal Highness for the first time at Windsor Castle on Wednesday 25th January. They will go on to support the Princess and the centre as work is accelerated to promote the fundamental importance of the first five years of a child’s life.
Advisory Group members are:
• Professor Peter Fonagy OBE, Head of the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences at UCL and Chief Executive of the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
• Eamon McCrory, Professor of Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology, University College London
• Dr Alain Gregoire, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist and President and Founder of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance
• Dr Trudi Seneviratne, Registrar at the Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Ed Vainker OBE, co-founder of Reach Academy Feltham,
• Carey Oppenheim, Project Lead at the Nuffield Foundation
• Imran Hussain, Director of Policy and Campaigns for Action for Children
• Beverley Barnett-Jones MBE, Associate Director at Nuffield Family Justice Observatory and Trustee at What Works in Children’s Social Care
The group will support the delivery of the centre’s work in commissioning new research, learning from best practice in the UK and globally, and raising awareness of the extraordinary impact the first five years of life have on future outcomes.
Advisory Group members have been chosen for their deep expertise in a range of areas including neuroscience, psychology, perinatal psychiatry, early years services and policy development.
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 of the early years.
“The Advisory Group’s support in our key areas of research, collaboration and awareness raising will be invaluable and I look forward to working closely with them to make a difference for generations to come.”
Several of those involved have already played a pivotal role in the work the Princess of Wales has been pursuing for more than a decade in this field, helping her to shape her work on the issue and adding to her determination to help change the way people think about early childhood.
The appointment of the Advisory Group comes as the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood appoints Christian Guy as Centre Director.
