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 Membership Awards and the Livery Master Certificate Scheme; celebrating excellence in skills, training and lifelong learning.

Hosted by The Rt Hon. The Lady Mayor, Dame Susan Langley DBE, the ceremony highlighted the long‑standing partnership between the City of London Livery Companies and the City & Guilds of London Institute (CGLI), now the City & Guilds Foundation. This shared history began in 1878, when sixteen Livery Companies founded the Institute to expand access to technical education. Today, that shared mission continues- supporting people to gain the skills they need for meaningful, sustainable employment.

Dame Susan Langley DBE paid tribute to this legacy, saying: “For centuries the Livery companies have helped pass vital skills from one generation to the next. Today’s recipients represent the very best of that tradition – talented people whose dedication to their craft is strengthening key industries and opening doors for the next generation.”

Recognising excellence across sectors

The day celebrated individuals demonstrating exceptional impact in education, training, innovation and craft. Mike Adamson CBE, Interim Chief Executive at City & Guilds Foundation, emphasised the value of spotlighting skills champions: “Skills change lives. We are proud to celebrate excellence through our various Award programmes and know how vital it is to highlight those who are continuously striving for quality skills development that drives productivity.”

This year, 12 individuals received a prestigious Livery Prize, while 14 were recognised through the MCGI Membership Awards. Among the awardees was Paul Mercer, Principal Lecturer at South Eastern Regional College. Since 2015, Mercer has reshaped hospitality education through project‑based learning—providing students with hands‑on catering experience, including producing full fine‑dining menus for paying customers. His department now leads the college with 94.8% attainment and 98.1% retention. Mercer received both an MCGI Membership Award and a Livery Prize from The Worshipful Company of Cooks.

You can find out more about the Membership Awards here.

Fellowship Diplomas awarded to transformational leaders in skills and education

The City & Guilds Foundation also presented Fellowship Diplomas, the highest honour awarded by the CGLI Council. Five individuals were celebrated for outstanding, long‑term contributions to education, training, craft and social impact.

Professor Anne Bamford FCGI OBE

Professor Anne Bamford FCGI OBE is an internationally recognised leader in education, creativity and innovation. A former Strategic Director of Education, Culture and Skills for the City of London and a UNESCO Scholar, her global research on arts education – including her seminal book The Wow Factor – has shaped policy and practice around the world. She coined the term “fusion skills” to describe the competencies needed for a rapidly changing future, and has championed inclusive lifelong learning throughout her career.

Dr Lois Rowe FCGI

Dr Lois Rowe, Principal of the City & Guilds of London Art School, is an accomplished artist and researcher whose leadership has broadened the School’s academic offer and deepened its community impact. A practitioner in textiles, soft sculpture and film, she brings international experience from Canada and Japan alongside a distinguished career at UAL. Under her leadership, the School has strengthened excellence in carving and fine art, expanded into conservation, illustration and mosaic, and built new global partnerships.

Jo Mabbutt FCGI

A specialist in decorative arts, Jo Mabbutt’s career spans wood graining, marbling, gilding and specialist finishes. She later developed her practice at Central Saint Martins while also teaching, lecturing and exhibiting as an artist. Her outstanding service to the Livery, especially her work with the Painter‑Stainers, includes championing students and curating the annual makers’ exhibition. As Secretary of the Livery Companies Skills Council, she played a key role in advancing apprenticeships and professional recognition.

Chris Hyde FCGI

Chris Hyde has made a significant contribution to raising skills and standards across the furniture industry. As Senior Quality and Standards Manager at WorldSkills UK, and a liveryman of the Furniture Makers Company, he has helped strengthen the pipeline of talent entering the sector. A skilled maker and restorer, he led the Rycotewood Furniture Centre for many years and authored all City & Guilds furniture‑making qualifications- shaping provision nationally.

Ricardo Lafuente Dyer FCGI

With more than 30 years’ service in HMPPS, Ricardo Lafuente Dyer is widely respected across the criminal justice system for his transformative work. As founder of Time4Change, he has pioneered a creative, trauma‑informed approach to rehabilitation that empowers men to understand their experiences and build positive, crime‑free futures. His leadership inspires colleagues and has contributed to significant improvements in safety, wellbeing and violence reduction across prisons.

To find out more about our Fellowship programme click here.

To see all the photos from the event click here.