Who were the key executives involved in the City & Guilds sale controversy?

Kirstie Donnelly, the chief executive, and Abid Ismail, the finance director, were among the executives who received significant bonuses and salary increases following the sale.

What impact did the sale have on affiliated training providers like Charlie Butler's business?

Affiliated training providers experienced substantial fee increases after the sale, with annual fees rising from £2,000 to £5,000 and per-person charges increasing from £18 to £60.

Home / Business and Economy / Charity's £166m Sale Sparks Executive Pay Scandal

Charity's £166m Sale Sparks Executive Pay Scandal

Q: What is the Charity Commission investigating regarding City & Guilds?

The Charity Commission is investigating the £166m sale of City & Guilds' training and accreditations business and the substantial bonuses awarded to its executives.

19 Apr

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Summary

Charity Commission investigates £166m sale and executive bonuses.
Vocational training brand sale led to significant executive pay hikes.
Price increases for affiliated training courses caused concern.

Charity's £166m Sale Sparks Executive Pay Scandal

The sale of City & Guilds' training and accreditations business for £166m in October 2025 has become the subject of a Charity Commission inquiry.

This inquiry focuses on the sale itself and the large bonuses awarded to executives, which followed shortly after the transaction. The deal saw the vocational training brand transition to private ownership under PeopleCert, prompting scrutiny over potential shifts in priorities from education to profit.