Former Conservative minister Will Quince has been appointed as the first chief executive of 1001 Critical Days Foundation, the charity set up last year by his colleague in government Andrea Leadsom.

Before leaving parliament in 2024, when he did not seek re-election, Quince had stints as minister for welfare, children and families, and school standards.

The charity says Quince will bring “leadership and vision to a fast-growing organisation that works internationally to support parents and carers to give their baby the best start in life”.

Leadsom, who is the charity’s executive chair, twice ran to be leader of the Conservative Party . During her time in government, before quitting Parliament in 2024, she was leader of the House of Commons and served as secretary of state for business, and for environment, food and rural affairs.

The charity was set up to support babies and families during their first 1001 days through funding charities, commissioning research and promoting the importance of early development.

Over its first year it has committed £2m to support UK charities and back research into mental health problems among fathers of babies.

Leadsom said Quince’s appointment “is an incredibly exciting milestone in our journey”.

“Will brings the leadership, compassion and drive to help us deliver our mission: that every baby should experience the best start in life, both here in the UK and globally,” she added.

“Together we will champion the first 1001 days of life as a critical foundation for lifelong health and happiness, supporting babies and families in the UK and around the world.”

A priority for the charity over the coming year is to review the impact of screen time on babies.

“Some babies are now spending more than four hours a day in front of screens,” said Quince.

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