Kirstie Donnelly

Kirstie Donnelly is the Chief Executive Officer of City & Guilds, a vocational training body. She is currently newsworthy due to a scandal involving large executive bonuses paid out after the sale of City & Guilds' qualification awards business. These bonuses, including a reported £1.7 million for Donnelly, were awarded at the same time the company was implementing significant cost-cutting measures and workforce reductions. The Charity Commission has launched a statutory inquiry into the sale and the subsequent bonuses. As a result of the controversy, Donnelly, along with the Chief Financial Officer, Abid Ismail, have been placed on leave. The situation is significant because it raises questions about governance, executive compensation, and the ethical responsibilities of charities.