Thank you for your interest in becoming the next Chief Executive of the City & Guilds Foundation.
This is a very exciting time to join our organisation. The Foundation enters this next chapter with a secure income, a respected and influential brand, and a talented, dedicated team. We are now positioned to shape a new long‑term strategy – an opportunity made possible by the recent sale of the City & Guilds commercial training and awarding business to new owners. This has created a substantial financial base that we are committed to deploying for long‑term social impact.
As a Royal Charter charity, the City & Guilds Foundation holds a unique position in the skills landscape at a time when society urgently needs fresh solutions. Our mission is clear and compelling: to harness the power of skills to drive social and economic change. We already have a strong record of delivery—awarding £5.6m in grants over the past five years, supporting 15,000 individuals, and generating £23m in social return on investment.
Our 2025 Impact Report highlights the strength of our partnerships. Through deep relationships with frontline charities, we reach those facing the greatest barriers to work. Through our employer connections, including the prestigious Princess Royal Training Awards – we celebrate excellence, shape best practice, and help create meaningful pathways into employment.
Together, these capabilities position the Foundation to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the UK today, from entrenched inequalities to productivity gaps. We believe our clarity of purpose and the strength of our brand present significant opportunities to attract additional funders and investors to further amplify our impact.
This is a pivotal period for the Foundation. While we have several successful streams of activity, we are ready for the next stage of development. Our future strategic framework is currently being shaped collaboratively by the Trustees and Interim CEO Mike Adamson CBE. The incoming Chair and CEO will play a critical role in refining and finalising this strategy to ensure the greatest possible societal impact and long‑term systems change.
We are seeking an outstanding Chief Executive who brings strategic acumen, a deep commitment to the role that skills play in transforming lives, and the leadership qualities needed to guide the organisation into its 150th anniversary in 2028 and beyond.
If the opportunity to lead the City & Guilds Foundation at such a defining moment excites you, we would be delighted to hear from you.
The Board of Trustees
City & Guilds Foundation