Here at City & Guilds, our purpose is helping people, organisations and economies develop their skills for growth. Through our Foundation, we act as a catalyst for this work, by helping remove barriers to getting a job, celebrating best practice on the job and advocating for jobs of the future.

Through this monthly podcast, we hope to bring together people from across our diverse foundation networks. The ambition is that this podcast will serve as an educational platform, a source of inspiration, a community hub and a tool for personal and professional empowerment.

Listeners who are passionate about skills development and committed to growth. This is aimed at employers, learners, skills development partners, learning and development connects.

In this very first episode, ahead of International Womens’ Day (#IWD2024), host Cecilia Harvey, Chief Operating Officer City & Guilds, invites Gaia Caruso, Head of ED&I Sparta Global to discuss female leadership within the technology sector.

Sparta Global, a provider of business and technology training and careers for emerging talent, were one of the esteemed winners of the Princess Royal Training Awards 2021, in recognition for deploying an innovative approach to help employees across hiring, training, engagement and employment develop their use of inclusive language and keep on top of using it in a considerate, constructive and empowering way.

They were also awarded special commendations for demonstrating a significant commitment to inclusion and diversity and developing and delivering best practice in training.

For further information about the material quoted in this episode visit:

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Previous posts

Welcoming Jessica Leigh Jones MBE FCGI as our new Chair

We’re pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Leigh Jones MBE FCGI as the new Chair of the City and Guilds of London Institute (CGLI), now known as The City & Guilds Foundation. At City & Guilds Foundation, we believe skills have the power to unlock...

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Across the UK, people who face the greatest barriers to work often live in the communities least served by mainstream skills provision. They are talented, capable and motivated, but too often held back by structural disadvantage, low confidence, disrupted education,...

From pizza dough to people development: A visit to Princess Royal Training Award recipient, Domino’s Pizza UK and Ireland

Walking into Domino’s HQ in Milton Keynes feels a bit like stepping inside the heartbeat of a brand that never stops moving. From the hum of cutting‑edge automation to the warmth of a team who truly live their values, the visit offered a rare look at the people and...

Celebrating skills in the City at Mansion House

The City & Guilds Foundation joined Livery Companies, tutors, trainers, apprentices and craftspeople from across the UK and Ireland on Thursday 12 March for the annual Livery Company Prize Ceremony at Mansion House. The event also recognised recipients of the CGLI...

Awareness Isn’t Enough: What the 2026 Neurodiversity Index really tells us

Today we’ve launched our Neurodiversity Index in partnership with Do-IT Solutions, and the headline from this year’s report - Despite organisations feeling more confident than ever about supporting neurodivergent staff, the lived experience of neurodivergent employees...

Creating Pathways, Unlocking Potential: City & Guilds Foundation partnership with Be the Business

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Celebrating community radio champions who are investing in skills, inclusion and opportunity

Across the UK, community radio stations play an extraordinary role — not just in broadcasting, but in transforming lives. On World Radio Day we wanted to spotlight four of the outstanding radio stations that have been recognised through our Princess Royal Training...

Dame Ann Limb to step down as Chair of The City and Guilds of London Institute (CGLI)

Dame Ann Limb, Chair, The City and Guilds of London Institute since 2021, will step down at the end January 2026. In her resignation letter, Dame Ann said: "I confirm that, as agreed at the Board meeting on 1 December 2025, and notice of this having been made public...

A statement from Trustees: Clarifying the sale of City & Guilds awarding, commercial and training activities

In recent days, a number of inaccurate claims have been made about the sale of City & Guilds. In response, the Trustees of City and Guilds London Institute have issued the following statement and Q&A to address these issues.  On 16 October 2025, City and...

Podcast episodes

Foundation & Friends Podcast (2024-)

​Green Skills Podcast in collaboration with Green Edge (2024-)

Hosted by Dr. Michael Cross and Fraser Harper, this podcast series explores the critical transition towards a sustainable planet and the pivotal role of green skills in shaping the economy.

Listen now

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