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 opportunity – for people, employers and society as a whole. They are one of the most powerful levers we have to reduce inequality, increase productivity and create a more resilient economy. As we look to the next phase of our journey, it was really important for us to appoint a Chair with the energy, credibility and leadership to help drive this vision forward. In Jessica, we have found exactly that.
Following a rigorous and highly competitive selection process, Jessica was unanimously approved as Chair, initially endorsed by a small group of Foundation stakeholders, latterly at our Council meeting. This reflected not only her outstanding professional track record, but also the deep trust and confidence people place in her leadership, values and lived experience.
Jessica’s skills journey
Jessica’s own skills journey speaks volumes about why she is such a powerful advocate for our mission. She began her career as an electrician, later studied astrophysics, and progressed from apprentice to Liveryman – living proof of the transformative power of skills. Her story mirrors the change we want to see more widely: skills opening doors, creating opportunity and enabling people to thrive, whatever their starting point.
She brings extensive leadership experience across both the public and private sectors. Jessica is a former Non‑Executive Director at the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) and currently serves as Chair of WJEC, Wales’s largest awarding organisation. She is also the Founder and CEO of a pioneering skills business working across fintech, digital and green skills – giving her a deep and practical understanding of how skills systems operate across sectors and economies.
What excites us most is Jessica’s ability to see skills not simply as a route to jobs, but as a driver of social mobility, productivity and long‑term economic resilience. She understands how systems need to work together — from education and employers to policy and communities — and how collaboration and trust create lasting impact.
Speaking about the appointment, Jessica said: “It is an honour to have been appointed Chair of the City and Guilds Foundation at this pivotal new era for the charity. I firmly believe in the Foundation’s mission to drive access to skills and employment, promote the value of skills, and drive tangible social impact.
I am committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to encourage excellence and create meaningful opportunities for those we serve. Through our collective efforts, we will continue to foster positive change and champion skills development throughout the sector.”
The next chapter
As Chair, Jessica will help guide the Foundation through its next chapter, strengthening partnerships, deepening collaboration and amplifying our impact. Under her leadership, we are confident we can continue to champion skills, unlock opportunity and make a tangible difference to individuals, industries and society.
Jessica’s appointment marks a significant moment for us, and we are thrilled to be working with her at such a pivotal time for the skills landscape. We share her belief that access to skills changes lives – and that strong, values‑driven leadership has the power to change systems.
Please join us in welcoming Jessica Leigh Jones MBE FCGI as our new Chair. We’re excited about what we can achieve together.