City & Guilds

City & Guilds, a vocational training body formerly owned by the UK charity City & Guilds London Institute, is currently under investigation by the Charity Commission. This follows the sale of its qualification awards business to a private company last year, which resulted in substantial bonuses for executives. News reports indicate that the top six executives' pay more than tripled amidst a £22 million cost-cutting initiative and workforce reduction in the UK. The Charity Commission's inquiry focuses on the circumstances surrounding the sale and the subsequent bonus payments, including a reported £1.7 million award for the chief executive. Recently, the chief executive, Kirstie Donnelly, and the chief financial officer, Abid Ismail, have been placed on leave. These events raise concerns about governance and financial management within the organization, impacting its reputation and potentially its ability to fulfill its mission of providing vocational training and qualifications.