Story perspectives

City & Guilds Leaders on Leave Amid Bonus Investigation

1/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

City & Guilds CEO Kirstie Donnelly and CFO Abid Ismail have been placed on leave as the Charity Commission investigates bonuses tied to the sale of its vocational training business to PeopleCert.
The inquiry will examine whether the £1.7 million and £1.2 million bonuses were justified, plus a £22 million UK cost-cutting plan.
PeopleCert has committed to cooperating with the investigation and reducing the UK workforce through attrition, not layoffs.

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Story summary

City & Guilds CEO Kirstie Donnelly and CFO Abid Ismail have been placed on leave as the Charity Commission investigates bonuses tied to the sale of its vocational training business to PeopleCert.
The inquiry will examine whether the £1.7 million and £1.2 million bonuses were justified, plus a £22 million UK cost-cutting plan.
PeopleCert has committed to cooperating with the investigation and reducing the UK workforce through attrition, not layoffs.