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Inspire, Improve, Achieve, Trust

We are our people

We value each other and we embody our City & Guilds culture through living our values in everything that we do.

Our values

inspire iconWe work with employers, training providers, colleges, learners/trainees and each other, to help raise and achieve aspirations.

improve iconWe help improve the organisational performance of our customers and the performance of individuals and each other.

achieve iconWe celebrate and make visible achievements, where it matters most. By ensuring achievement is valued and recognised we empower our customers, learners, trainees and each other to grow.

trust iconWe hold ourselves accountable, we act with integrity in everything we do, and we value difference.

A culture of diversity & inclusion

We’re committed to improving diversity & inclusion within the way we work, and in how we deliver our purpose. We are actively pursuing, implementing and reviewing working practices that enable a diverse and inclusive business strategy and working environment. We believe differences should be respected and valued and are building a culture that enables colleagues and those we work with to be themselves and feel supported to meet their full potential and deliver their best work. We know that building a diverse and inclusive workforce will result in highly engaged colleagues, improved service for our customers and greater impact of our purpose.

Find out more about what we’re actively doing

Our people

Ranging from employees to Fellows, our people are motivated by a shared purpose and ambition to provide the best in skills development.

Our Chair

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Dame Ann Limb DBE CBE DL FCG

Chair of the Council

Ann became Chair of the Council in October 2021. Ann has dedicated a large part of her working life to education having spent 25 years in Further Education as a College Principal in Milton Keynes and Cambridge, and in the civil service where she had responsibility for the UK government’s flagship digital initiatives, learndirect, UK online and gov.uk.

Find out more about Ann on LinkedIn

Our Executive Team

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Kirstie Donnelly MBE

Chief Executive Officer

Kirstie is responsible for leading the City & Guilds Executive team and setting our strategic direction.

Find out more about Kirstie on LinkedIn
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Andy Moss

Chief Customer Officer

Andy leads on developing and delivering our high-quality technical and vocational skills assessments, credentials, and blended training programmes that lead to jobs and meet the changing needs of industry.

Find out more about Andy on LinkedIn
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Faiza Khan MBE

Executive Director, Corporate Affairs & Foundation

Faiza leads our corporate affairs, communications, and policy agenda, as well as heads up the City & Guilds Foundation.

Find out more about Faiza on Linkedin
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Cecilia Harvey

Chief Operating Officer

Cecilia is responsible for operations including technology and awarding organisation transformation.

Find out more about Cecilia on LinkedIn
Abid Ismail

Abid Ismail

Chief Financial Officer

Abid is responsible for our financial management.

Find out more about Abid on Linkedin
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Nic Barnes

Executive Director, People

Nic is responsible for everything to do with our People.

Find out more about Nic on LinkedIn

More information

Employees and careers

Our employees across our community of brands are our ambassadors. They are central to us achieving our purpose, through living our values and close interaction with our customers and partners.

Find out more about working for City & Guilds and our current opportunities

Assessment Associates

Our contracted assessment associates quality assure, assess, moderate and consult to ensure our assessments are robust and best-in class. We’re often recruiting for this valued team of City & Guilds ambassadors.

See what’s currently open

The Trustee Board of the City and Guilds of London Institute (CGLI)

The Trustee Board of the City and Guilds of London Institute serves a key role in the governance of City & Guilds. The Trustee Board’s primary responsibility is ensuring that City & Guilds pursues its charitable objectives and that it remains financially robust. The Trustee Board is comprised of members of the Council of the City and Guilds of London Institute who are elected to serve as Trustees. They represent a diverse range of industries, and bring a wealth of experience. Once appointed, they serve as Trustees for up to six years.

Find out more

Fellows of the City & Guilds of London Institute

In 1892, CGLI established Fellowship to honour the historical connection to Imperial College London and the professional accomplishments of its graduates. Today, Fellows are from a wide range of industries from around the world. To be considered for Fellowship, candidates must exemplify excellence by embodying our core values and Fellowship is bestowed upon leaders and innovators who have had an impact on their industry or in education. Fellows help to contribute to our success by acting as ambassadors and offering their knowledge and expertise.

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Council of the City and Guilds of London Institute

Council of the City and Guilds of London Institute has an integral role in the governance of City & Guilds.

The Council of the City and Guilds of London Institute comprises approximately 70 individuals, who come from a wide range of backgrounds with a variety of specialisms and experience. Council meets twice a year, and has four primary functions:

  • Providing advice, guidance and support for City & Guilds
  • Electing a chairman, vice-chairman, certain categories of councillor, honorary officers and members of the Trustee Board
  • Conferring certain awards and honours, including Fellowship
  • Jointly responsible for making changes to the Constitution

Learn more about Council

The City of London Corporation

We maintain our connection with the City of London Corporation as follows:

  • The Lord Mayor holds an ex-officio place on the Council of the City and Guilds of London Institute
  • CGLI holds 22 voting places at the City of London Corporation elections

Livery companies

Our historic relationship with Livery companies continues today.18 Livery Companies have a representative on the Council of the City and Guilds of London Institute

  • Those Livery Company representatives play an active role in electing Trustees of the City and Guilds of London Institute, who ensure our charitable objectives are met
  • A number of Livery Companies donate prizes and bursaries to our learners and tutors every year. The annual Livery Company Awards ceremony recognises excellence in learning and training in their respective trades

Find out more