Membership
Awards 2024
Championing Impact, Recognising Talent
Meet the 2024 recipients of the Membership Awards, shining a spotlight on individuals who make a real impact; not just on their trainees and learners, but also on their institutions and communities.
2024
recipients
About
the Awards
The most prestigious award for tutors and trainers
As an organisation, City & Guilds has a core purpose to help more people get into a job, progress on the job and move onto the next job. The City & Guilds Membership Awards highlight tutors and trainers who are champions for impactful skills development.
Launched in 2024, these awards recognise outstanding tutors and trainers across the UK and Ireland who go above and beyond in delivering exceptional training, learning, and development. We’re shining a spotlight on individuals who make a real impact; not just on their trainees and learners, but also on their institutions and communities.
Recipients of the Membership Awards receive membership of the City & Guilds of London Institute and the usage of MCGI after their name. We also celebrate them and their nominators at a prestigious awards ceremony in London. Find out more about our Awards recipients below.
2024 recipients
City & Guilds is proud to announce the first recipients of the Membership Awards, a programme designed to celebrate and recognise exceptional tutors and trainers who are making a significant impact on individuals and organisations.
Adrian
Green
Alison
Drew
Bryan
Stokes
Colin
Smith
David
Hewson
David
Mills
Gary
Richmond
Heather
Graham
James
Godber
James
Hyde
Malachi
Bakas
Mark
Belford
Michael
Davies
Raquel
Noboa
Tom
Watters
Nominations opened in May 2024 and shortlisted nominees were invited to an interview with an independent assessor and a City & Guilds ambassador. Nominees had to demonstrate that that they possessed a high level of professional expertise and influence; have delivered impactful skills development programmes; and have gone above and beyond their role to positively influence learners, staff, and the organisation.
In the inaugural year, 15 worthy individuals received an Award and were celebrated at an Awards Ceremony in March 2025. Their contributions have been assessed against the rigorous standards, which are also used for the Princess Royal Training Awards, with several members coming from organisations that have received this Royal recognition.

Adrian Green MCGI
Founder and Managing Director, Pressurepoint
Adrian was nominated by JCB Excavators for his exceptional approach to his engaging training. Adrian is a former international athlete and advertising agency executive. He creates and delivers bespoke leadership, management, sales, culture and team development programmes. He also coaches and acts as an advisor to CEOs and C-Suite.
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Our assessors noted Adrian’s exceptional skills as a trainer and facilitator shaped by his athletic background and professional experiences. Adrian’s collaboration with JCB created a successful sales leadership programme which showcases his ability to drive impactful change in individuals and teams. His personalised approach has led to significant professional growth and success for candidates. The programme’s longevity and high return on investment underscore Adrian’s effectiveness and dedication.

Alison Drew MCGI
Trainer/Assessor and Internal Quality Assurer, St Giles Trust
Alison was nominated by the Head of Quality and Assessment for her quality of teaching, comprehensive subject knowledge and support and mentorship of her colleagues. She developed the Peer Advisor Programme in HMP Send which is now expanded into HMP Bronzefield – the largest women’s prison in Europe.
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Our assessors noted that Alison has continually developed her practice, ensuring she keeps ahead of the latest trends and has supported not only her colleagues but changes the lives of her trainees – 7 of who are now employed by St Giles.

Bryan Stokes MCGI
Instructor of Engineering, MKC Training
Bryan was nominated by the Teaching and Learning Improvement Manager for setting the standard amongst all of their coaches. He showcased best practice in the use of technology, learner support, forward thinking and future proofing their business by keeping up to date with latest industry trends.
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Our assessors found Bryan clearly has a passion to help learners enjoy and achieve in a difficult and technical subject. He changed the traditional formats of the training methods and is self-taught in emerging technologies to the extent that he has trained up the senior managers and developed proposals persuading the Board to expand into training in green technology. His impact was seen with his line manager wishing he had nine Bryan’s on is team as the passion, drive and proactivity has instilled a spark in the learners and other trainers beyond expectation.

Colin Smith MCGI
Data Analyst Digital Trainer, Learning Curve Group
Nominated for his exceptional approach, passion and dedication to his role and his innovative methods of delivery, Colin always engages and inspires his learners. His impact is seen in higher than average achievement rates and higher results in the EPA grades.
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Our assessors note Colin as a passionate and inventive teacher, achieving well over the national average results for the Data Analysis apprenticeship. He has won an internal award, the Golden Apple Pin, and is recognised as an expert dedicated to his work by his peers. He leads on a contract with visually impaired learners and has had eight of his apprentices put forward for the British Computer Society Awards, with five winning alongside a BAME award as well.

David Hewson MCGI
Lecturer for Engineering, Hopwood Hall College
David was hired for his extensive and diverse background in both industry and education. His nominator describes David as a ‘beacon of passion, wisdom and desire in the realm of training and development’. His approach to training is meticulously crafted, ensuring it not only meets the specific means of the learning cohort, but it also align seamlessly with their business goals.
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Our assessors noted David’s deep commitment to student success, often going beyond his role to mentor new teachers, advocate for mental health, and foster an inclusive environment. His efforts have led to increased diversity among students, high regard from local employees, and the establishment of meaningful initiatives like the William Cooke Award.

David Mills MCGI
Lecturer for Engineering, Hopwood Hall College
David has over 40 years of hands on experience teaching various engineering disciplines at prestigious institutions. He is described by his nominator as not just a teacher, but a mentor and role model, and his training programmes are renowned for their exceptional planning and execution.
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Our assessors noted David’s remarkable dedication, resilience, and adaptability throughout his career. He has a continued commitment to learning, much of it self-funded. His vast experience, including roles in Australia and the UK make him invaluable asset to his current role, where he’s significantly enhanced the technical skills of his team. His hands on teaching approach, mentorship, and focus on accessibility have inspired students, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, to succeed. His consistent support for both students and colleagues exemplifies his impact.

Gary Richmond FCGI MCGI
Head Culinary Tutor, Mitchells and Butlers
Gary was nominated for his commitment and unparalleled technical knowledge and skill which he instils and inspires into chefs as well as newcomers to the industry. He also sits on the Trailblazer Group for the Commis Chef Apprenticeship Standard in order to input into the future of this qualification.
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Our assessors noted Gary’s influence and positive evidence of his ability, personality, drive, ambition and personnel development as a result of his teaching and culinary leadership. They also noted how rare it is to see such consistent and high praise of an individual whereby learners have been made to make profound changes in their culinary careers but additionally to the way they see food, cooking and the importance of long term culinary management within the industry and at home.

Heather Graham MCGI
the Learning and Development Officer, Right at Home UK
Heather was nominated by the Director of People and Brand who noted her outstanding training delivery and planning and constant tailoring of her sessions to meet the unique needs of each learner. One of the training programmes designed by Heather achieved the Princess Royal Training Award.
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Our assessors commented on Heather’s achievements having had a solid career as a trainer and assessor. Her training has had the impact of reducing staff attrition most notably. Heather now shares her experience at a national level as part of a sector group for the Department of Education to help change the perception of careers in the care sector.

James Godber MCGI
Learning & Development Officer, The MDU
James has been a trainer for over 30 years. His nomination noted that James is a great innovator, frequently using metaphorical structures to bring learning to life. His academic background is rooted in the performing arts and has resulted in him having a creative approach alongside his technical experience.
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Our assessors found that James’ outcomes and outputs in the training arena are significant with wide reaching impacts.

James Hyde MCGI
Senior Corporate Coaching Manager, Resurgo Trust
James was nominated by the Senior Talent Manager at Resurgo Trust for being innovative in his approach and relentlessly pursuing excellence for his clients and creating a culture of high trust and empowerment in the team of coaches that he leads.
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Our assessors note that James is undoubtedly a passionate, dedicated and highly skilled coach who is held in high esteem by his colleagues and those he coaches. With numerous anecdotal examples of impact of individuals facing barriers and difficult life challenges, a high-profile C-Suite commercial clientele and a current role which is influential in the development of rising coaches in Resurgo, this nomination has significant merit.

Malachi Bakas MCGI
Tutor and Assessor, Belmont Park Special School
Malachi was nominated by the Head Teacher at Belmont Park Special School for his impact as an inspirational tutor and for his far-reaching work beyond the learners into the school and broader community.
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Our Assessors noted that EQAs and Ofsted have cited nominee’s training and teaching as ‘Outstanding’. Malachi stands out giving at risk learners opportunity to progress when at risk of potentially entering a life of crime. He’s initiated partnerships with Colleges, the Youth Justice System and many more in the community with projects for his learners – all to better their learning and positive role and place in the community. He also demonstrably increased the standard of training in the construction department and the outcomes since he started 5 years ago, embedding City & Guilds qualifications into the broader curriculum to enhance the opportunities for learners. He also improved the experience of the learners who are at-risk and many of whom have additional needs by tailoring every lesson to meet their needs resulting in some of the highest outcomes and participation rates in the school.

Mark Belford MCGI
Head of the Chef Academy, HIT Training
Mark was nominated for being a dynamic, flexible and approachable tutor who delivers high quality and cutting-edge training for his trainees. He has exceeded expectations and is fundamental in the academy’s success.
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Our assessors note that Mark’s passion and commitment to the hospitality industry has driven his remarkable career. He’s transitioned to teaching and transformed the learning experience at the HIT Training Chef Academy. His inclusive teaching methods have earned praise including recognition from Ofsted. Mark’s leadership has elevated both student success and the standards of his team, impacting the culinary sector profoundly.

Michael Davies MCGI
Technical Learning and Development Manager, MCFT
Michael is the Technical Learning and Development Manager at MCFT in Berkshire, which runs the largest training programme for catering apprenticeships in England as an employer provider. He was nominated for successfully creating a high-quality training facility and managing a small team of qualified trainers to deliver an innovative apprenticeship programme.
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Our assessors noted Michael’s extraordinary commitment, with high personal standards, undertaking CPD in his own time and making regular improvements in delivery and using a ‘coach to coach’ approach. Start. He is playing a major part of the growth in the company and is a likely role model for the wider community and sector as a whole.

Raquel Noboa MCGI
Managing Director, Fifty Shades Greener
Raquel founded Fifty Shades Greener after starting her own Green Skills journey at Hotel Doolin in Ireland when she was appointed Green Manager back in 2012 and was nominated for her dedication, drive, ambition and down to earth approach resulting in far reaching impact.
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Our assessors noted whilst Raquel does not hold any formal qualifications in education or training her drive to motivate change through action has evolved from setting sustainability targets and showing individuals how to achieve them, to developing powerful training programmes support by the Irish government across all sectors of Irish society and achieving global reach. This has not held her back from having a profound impact through her sustainability training. She also now sits on COP and influencing education, industry and policy makers.

Tom Watters MCGI
Director, Rockleigh Ltd
Nominated by the other director in the college, Tom’s experience and long career in tree surgery and arboriculture work really shone through. The training programme has won a Princess Royal Training Award and a King’s Award for enterprise for social mobility.
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Our assessors noted that Tom is a driving force of the organisation and is well respected in the industry with 100% retention rates over a 2-year period and also ensuring inclusion at every turn with 100% of his workforce having either dyslexia or ADHD.