PRINCE Harry could earn a seven-figure salary in his new role promoting a mental health app.
The 36-year-old was yesterday named “Chief Impact Officer” at San Francisco-based BetterUp Inc — his first job since quitting as a working royal.
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Its app — dubbed the life-coaching equivalent of Tinder — is used by corporate giants including Facebook and Google to improve the mental health of its staff.
Harry’s package also offers five “inner work” days a year.
These allow BetterUp employees to focus on “personalised growth” through activities such as hiking or reading books.
The Duke has never had a corporate job, but appeared to have picked up the lingo yesterday.
He said: “I intend to help create impact in people’s lives. Proactive coaching provides endless possibilities for personal development, increased awareness and an all-round better life.”
BetterUp was co-founded in 2013 by Alexi Robichaux, who said the idea came to him while on a pilgrimage trail in Spain.
What is BetterUp?
BetterUp was launched in 2016 – a platform that works to connect workers with coaches.
The subscription service allows individuals to speak with their certified coaches on the phone, text or even video chat.
The company claimed to have tripled its revenue in 2018.
Its clients have included Airbnb, Lyft and LinkedIn.
It offers mobile-based coaching, counselling and mentorship for employees of large businesses including Facebook, Google, Airbnb and LinkedIn.
Users scroll through profiles of therapists and life coaches — just like dating app Tinder — and select a match.
Harry revealed he had been using it for a couple of months.
He joked that filling out the initial questionnaire was a “bit awkward” because being sixth in line to the throne was not covered.
He went on: “I was matched with my coach who, quite frankly, is truly awesome and has always given me sound advice.”
Valuing itself at £1.2billion, BetterUp secured £217million from venture capitalists.
Mr Robichaux declined to reveal Harry’s salary, but similar roles at other Silicon Valley firms can command seven figures.
It’s going to upset a lot of people who’ll accuse him of selling his status and name.
Recalling his Army background, Harry went on: “As the Royal Marine Commandos say, ‘It’s a state of mind’. We all have it in us.”
He identified “lifting up critical dialogues”, “equipping people to thrive” and “self-optimisation” as part of his role.
He will appear at events and attend HQ meetings once Covid restrictions lift.
Mr Robichaux said it became clear during chats with Harry “that we hold a similar philosophy on mental health: that we must proactively take care of our minds”.
Less talk and more action
By Amy McDonald, Chief Executive, Headtorch
PRINCE Harry is joining our industry at a crucial time.
He, along with his brother William, has a passion for discussing mental health.
It meant that before the pandemic companies were beginning to talk about the emotional wellbeing of employees in the same way they discussed physical health.
The problem is there’s been a lot of talk but not always much action. A year of uncertainty, grief and working from home means this is exactly the right time to bring companies such as BetterUp or Headtorch in to advise.
Now is the time to invest in people. It’s crucial as we build back a better world.
Getting the appointment past other execs was “not hard”, he said, adding: “He will obviously have the whole organisation sprinting to help him.”
Harry is not the only duke there, as Duke Daehling is sales vice-president. Harry and Meghan have a Netflix deal said to be worth up to £100million.
Royal author Tom Quinn believes his new job is ill-advised, adding: “It’s going to upset a lot of people who’ll accuse him of selling his status and name.”
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