Early years champion receives honorary doctorate

The University of East London has awarded Neil Leitch an honorary doctorate to mark his tireless advocacy for the early years sector.  

The CEO of the Early Years Alliance was presented with his honorary doctorate in education in front of hundreds of students, many heading for a career in the sector, during one of the University’s graduation ceremonies at UEL’s Docklands Campus.

Mr Leitch told the students from the School of Education and Communities, 

As someone who is normally not shy of coming forward – I’ve spent the last decade plus arguing with politicians and policy formers – but I have to tell you when I received this invitation I was absolutely speechless, so thank you.”

Under Mr Leitch’s leadership, the Early Years Alliance has become the largest voluntary sector childcare operator in the UK, representing 14,000 nurseries, pre-schools, and childminders, who support over 800,000 families.  

He has led numerous campaigns, advocating for fair funding and mental health support. His leadership in the 2013 "Rewind on Ratios" campaign successfully reversed government plans to relax adult-to-child ratios in early years settings.

Mr Leitch said, “The Early Years Alliance is about social equality. We specifically operate in settings of deprivation. We are dealing with children who are hungry every day.

“Our bias is to ensure that these children are at the centre of every policy decision and that those policy decisions are not swayed by short-term economics. We firmly believe that if we get it right in the early years, the rest will follow. Generally, society seems more concerned with GDP, with balance sheets and spreadsheets. But none of it is of any value if we do not create good, kind, gentle, empathetic citizens.”

Neil Leitch’s journey to becoming one of the most respected voices in early years education is as inspiring as it is remarkable. Born into a family mired in poverty, Leitch experienced firsthand the challenges of growing up with limited resources. His early life included periods in care, and despite the adversity, he considers himself "lucky".

Leaving school at just 14 with no qualifications, Mr Leitch was driven by a passion to outrun his past. He seized every opportunity to renew his education through day-release and evening classes while working in low-level jobs. His initial ambition was modest - to become a TV engineer - yet life had other plans for him.  

Thanks to the patronage of a manager who saw potential in the “scruffy little urchin,” Mr Leitch studied to become an accountant, eventually rising to become a finance director and Chair of the Finance Industry Standards Association.

Despite his success in finance, Mr Leitch felt unfulfilled and began searching for a career that offered more meaning. In 2000, he was introduced to the Early Years Alliance, then known as the Pre-School Learning Alliance. What began as voluntary work soon turned into a full-time commitment, and in 2008, Mr Leitch became the Chief Executive Officer.

He said, “We’re not just childcare practitioners; we are relationship counsellors, educators, health visitors, nutritionists—you name it, we do it because to that family, you become some of the most important people in their lives.”

Reflecting on his career, Mr Leitch told students, “This is one of the most responsible professions anyone can enter. What can be more precious than shaping the life chances of our youngest people? What could be more important?”

UEL offers a wide range of early years courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Image: Simon Callaghan Photography