Prince Harry has taken up a new position as CEO of a Silicon Valley business.
The recently announced royal becomes chief impact officer of BetterUp Inc., an online coaching and mental health firm.
The company, valued at $ 1.73 billion, has refused to disclose the prince’s compensation package – but already listed him online on Tuesday as part of its ‘leadership corps’ and as a humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate. and environmentalist. ”
Harry first confirmed his new job in an email exchange with the Wall Street Journal.
“I intend to make an impact on people’s lives,” Harry, 36, told the newspaper.
“Proactive coaching offers endless possibilities for personal development, increased awareness and a better life.”
The prince had previously revealed plans to work on mental health issues, and his wife, Meghan Markle, famously admitted to Oprah Winfrey this month that she felt suicidal while trapped in the royal family.
Harry said he has been using the BetterUp app and one of the 2,000 coaches personally for several months.
“I was connected to my coach who, honestly, is really great and has always given me good advice and a fresh perspective, which is so valuable,” he told WSJ.
“It’s about acknowledging that it’s not so much what’s wrong with us, but more about what has happened to us over the course of our lives,” Harry said.
‘Often due to social barriers, financial problems or stigma, too many people cannot focus on their mental health before being forced. “I want us to move away from the idea that you should feel broken before seeking help,” he said.
BetterUp CEO Alexi Robichaux declined to disclose details about Harry’s service agreement or how he will be remunerated, the WSJ said.
But ‘it’s a meaningful and meaty role,’ Robichaux told the newspaper of the prince joining the company’s leadership team as an ‘officer of the corporation’.
“He’s synonymous with this approach to mental fitness and really investing in yourself,” Robichaux said. “It was not a hard internal sale.”
Harry is expected to provide input on initiatives, including decisions on product strategies and charitable contributions, and will publicly advocate for topics related to mental health.
Harry is finally expected to spend time at the company’s headquarters in San Francisco, attend all-events and be a special guest at the company’s events, Robichaux said.
Since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex resigned as senior royals last year, they have used their newfound freedom to sign a $ 100 million deal with Netflix and launch a podcast, Archewell Audio, with Spotify.
Although he has no background in technology, Harry will probably have no problem getting guidance, his new boss said.
“He will, of course, make the whole organization jump in to help him,” he said. Robichaux said.