Two executives at City & Guilds have received million-pound bonuses and significant salary increases following the sale of the training charity's business to private company PeopleCert in October, the Guardian understands. Chief executive Kirstie Donnelly was awarded a £1.7m bonus and a £100,000 salary rise to about £430,000, while finance director Abid Ismail received £1.2m and a 30% pay increase to around £300,000.
The payments come as City & Guilds embarks on a £22m cost-cutting drive, including plans to offshore up to a third of its UK jobs to Greece, where labour costs are up to 50% lower. A presentation to financial backers, since removed from PeopleCert's website, outlined £13m in 'personnel cost synergies' largely achieved by not replacing staff who leave and relocating roles abroad.
City & Guilds, founded in 1878 and awarded a royal charter by Queen Victoria, has trained notable figures including chefs Jamie Oliver, Marcus Wareing and Gordon Ramsay, former England football manager Gareth Southgate, gardener Alan Titchmarsh and fashion designer Karen Millen. The charity owner, City & Guilds London Institute (CGLI), received £180m-£200m from the sale.
A spokesperson for City & Guilds said bonuses were paid in line with existing policy and that accounts would be published in 2026. 'Any awards to employees are a matter for City & Guilds Ltd and are guided by standard commercial practice to ensure critical expertise and experience is retained,' they added.
