London Early Years Foundation (LEYF)'s CEO, Dr June O'Sullivan OBE shares her incredible and inspiring experience of receiving the King's Award for Enterprise and her journey as a woman in business. đ
â 1. What does receiving a Kingâs Award mean to you and your organisation?
Receiving the Kingâs Award was both an honour and a validation of something we have believed in for many years: that early childhood education and care is a powerful force for social justice and education for sustainability is a key element
At the London Early Years Foundation, we have always argued that childcare is not simply a service that enables parents to work. It is an investment in children, families and communities. When high-quality early education is accessible to everyone, regardless of background or income, it changes life chances.
For us, the award recognises the work of an extraordinary community of educators, leaders and families who believe that every child deserves the best start in life. It also shines a light on the role social enterprise can play in delivering services with purpose, reinvesting in communities and putting people before profit.
Personally, it feels like recognition of a journey that began many years ago when I saw first-hand how systems could exclude families who needed support the most. The award strengthens our determination to keep pushing for a fairer system where early education is recognised as a cornerstone of a just society.
â 2. What has your personal journey been like as a woman in business/your sector?
My journey has been shaped by both challenge and opportunity.
I was a very young single mother in the 1980s and experienced directly what it felt like to be excluded from childcare systems that were not designed for women like me. Later, as a social worker in Battersea, I saw many other mothers facing the same barriers. They were full of love and ambition for their children, but the system often failed to recognise their potential.
Those experiences stayed with me and shaped my leadership. They convinced me that childcare is not a luxury or convenience, but a question of fairness and opportunity.
The early years sector is largely powered by women, yet historically it has not always received the recognition, status or investment it deserves. Leading in this space has meant constantly advocating for the value of care, education and community.
Building the London Early Years Foundation has therefore been about more than running an organisation. It has been about challenging assumptions, creating opportunities for women in the workforce, and demonstrating that socially driven organisations can deliver both impact and excellence.
â 3. What advice would you give to other women aspiring to senior leadership roles?
First, believe that your voice matters.
Too many women underestimate the value of their perspective and experience. Leadership is not about fitting a traditional mould. It is about bringing your values, your curiosity and your commitment to the work.
Second, build relationships and communities around you. Leadership is rarely a solo endeavour. The strongest organisations are built by teams of people who trust each other and share a common purpose.
Third, stay anchored in your values. There will always be pressures to compromise or to follow conventional thinking. But the leaders who create lasting change are those who remain clear about why they do what they do.
And finally, remember that leadership is also about opening doors for others. Real progress happens when we make it easier for the next generation of women to grow, lead and succeed.
â 4. Is there anything else youâd like to share as part of International Womenâs Day?
International Womenâs Day is both a celebration and a reminder.
It is a celebration of the extraordinary contribution women make every day in families, workplaces and communities. In early childhood education in particular, the sector is sustained by the dedication, creativity and resilience of women who nurture children and support families.
But it is also a reminder that equality cannot be taken for granted. While many women have opportunities that previous generations fought hard to achieve, there are still women around the world who are denied the most basic freedoms: the right to learn, to work, to participate fully in society.
That is why solidarity matters.
International Womenâs Day invites us not only to celebrate progress but also to reflect on how we use our voices and influence to support others. When women are supported, children thrive, communities grow stronger and societies become fairer.
For me, that remains the heart of the work.
đ Find out more: The King's Awards for Enterprise: About the awards - GOV.UK
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