I was delighted to represent LV= and our members at the recent Future Workforce Summit, hosted by the Princess of Wales and The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood Business Taskforce. Business leaders came together to focus on how we can shape the future workforce.
The summit’s purpose was clear: to galvanise business action on early childhood and highlight its impact on society. The Princess of Wales delivered a keynote that resonated deeply, reminding us that “as business leaders, you will face the daily challenge of finding the balance between profitability and having a positive impact. But the two are not, and should not, be incompatible.” Her words challenged us to rethink what success means – not just for our companies, but for the communities we serve.
Building on this theme, we also heard from other speakers, including Sir Gareth Southgate and Dr Robert Waldinger, who spoke about the lifelong importance of nurturing relationships and emotional wellbeing from the earliest years. Their messages reinforced that the foundations for a thriving workforce are laid long before anyone enters the job market.
There was undoubtedly a sense of shared purpose and genuine momentum toward meaningful change.
The themes of the summit align closely with our values and initiatives shaped by our LV= members. Through LV= Together, we champion inclusion and opportunity, helping people flourish from all walks of life. Our partnership with The King’s Trust and its World at Work Tour is one example: giving young people the chance to experience real workplaces and build confidence for their future careers. Our work with partners such as The Social Mobility Foundation and Progress Together also demonstrates our commitment to breaking down barriers and creating pathways for young people to thrive. We believe that supporting talented young people early, and continuing that support as they enter employment, is essential to unlocking potential and creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of society.
Our partnerships, research and outreach programmes are all driven by the principle highlighted at the summit: when success is based on performance and potential rather than background, businesses and communities thrive. As I reflect on the summit, my hope is that businesses, government and communities will continue to work together.
The Future Workforce Summit was inspiring, and I left confident that LV= is well placed to meet the challenges of the future. I am excited and optimistic about what we can continue to achieve together.
