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In conversation with Olivia Bailey MP, Minister for Early Education

In A fairer start

3 Mar 2026 17:45 – 18:45

Online and in person, Victoria Embankment EC4Y 0DS

Free

The Best Start in Life strategy has set out the UK government’s target to increase the number of children reaching a good level of development to 75% by 2028. Achieving this target will require improving services and support for families from pregnancy through the first five years of children’s lives.

Join us on Tuesday 3 March, 17:45-18:45 to hear from Olivia Bailey MP, Minister for Early Education, about the UK government’s priorities for integrated early years support and family services. Minister Bailey will be joining Ravi Gurumurthy, Chief Executive at Nesta, to discuss the ambition for Best Start in Life and how we can make sure that every baby and young child has the opportunity to develop and thrive.

This hybrid event is taking place at 58 Victoria Embankment, EC4Y 0DS and is for policymakers, decision makers in local authorities, early years professionals and practitioners, civic leaders, and the early years research and innovation community. The event will be followed by a networking reception.

Ravi Gurumurthy

He/Him

Ravi Gurumurthy is group chief executive officer, joining Nesta as chief executive in December 2019. Ravi was previously responsible for the International Rescue Committee’s work in designing, testing and scaling products and services for people affected by crisis in over 40 countries - from reducing acute malnutrition and intimate partner violence, to expanding employment for Syrian refugees. Prior to joining the International Rescue Committee in 2013, Ravi held a number of roles in the UK government, including director of strategy at the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change and as a strategic advisor to the Foreign Secretary. Across many departments, Ravi led a number of major social and environmental reforms including the development of the world’s first legally-binding carbon emissions targets and the integration of children’s services. Ravi has also worked as a researcher at the think-tank Demos and in local government in London.

Olivia Bailey MP

He/Him

Olivia Bailey was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Early Education) and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities) at the Department for Education on 7 September 2025. She was elected as the MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire in July 2024.

In conversation with Olivia Bailey MP, Minister for Early Education

About Nesta

In conversation with Olivia Bailey MP, Minister for Early Education