Laura Mountain

Laura Mountain

Strategic Relationships Manager

“Law-rah Moun-tain” | she/her

Laura focuses on how the City & Guilds Foundation can help address some of the most pressing issues faced by society today.

She leads our overall strategy for grant-giving, advocacy, and awards, and looking at ways we can deliver the highest impact possible in partnership with those that share our purpose.

Laura is very solutions-focused, loves joining the dots and making new connections.

Laura loves spending time with friends, family (especially her toddler), reading and eating!

positivity | empathy | strategic | arranger | maximizer

The latest stories from Laura Mountain on the City & Guilds Foundation website:

City & Guilds of London Institute secures landmark deal to strengthen its scope for increased social impact

City & Guilds of London Institute secures landmark deal to strengthen its scope for increased social impact

by | 16 Oct 2025 |

City & Guilds of London Institute (CGLI) today announces its ambition to become an innovative social investor and change maker through the proposed sale of its commercial awarding organisation and skills training activities to PeopleCert, a global leader in certification of professional and language skills. CGLI will continue to operate under its now familiar brand The City & Guilds Foundation with the ambition to play a significant part in addressing societal and skills needs of the...

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Co-op’s Levy Share to support UK’s first Prisoner Apprenticeship programme to address rail skill shortages and reduce reoffending

Co-op’s Levy Share to support UK’s first Prisoner Apprenticeship programme to address rail skill shortages and reduce reoffending

by | 29 Jul 2025 | , , , ,

In a first, Co-op and City & Guilds partner to address reoffending and rail skills shortages with guaranteed employment pathways. Co-op to offer a dedicated levy share service to support apprenticeships for serving prisoners who’ll go on to work in the rail sector. The Level 2 Rail Engineering operative apprenticeships will be based at HMP Highpoint in Suffolk delivering vital hands-on training for the UK rail sector. Reoffending costs the UK economy over £21bn a year—this initiative aims...

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City & Guilds launches new Commission to tackle surge in youth unemployment   

City & Guilds launches new Commission to tackle surge in youth unemployment   

by | 24 Mar 2025 | , , ,

City & Guilds commit £500,000 in funding to target local challenges in areas of deprivation and economic inactivity in the UK  New Transitions Commission announced to support more young people into Further Education  1 million young people are not in education, employment or training, the highest level for more than a decade  City & Guilds Foundation have established a new commission to address the high volume of youth unemployment in the UK.  The Transitions...

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From Princesses to prisoners: celebrating 30 years at City & Guilds with Michael Osbaldeston

From Princesses to prisoners: celebrating 30 years at City & Guilds with Michael Osbaldeston

by | 20 Mar 2025 | , ,

Today marks the 30th anniversary of our much-loved colleague Michael. You're just as likely to see him with a glass of champagne at the City’s most elegant halls as you are helping out at a community kitchen in Stockport. We are indebted to ‘MO’ for his time, generosity, and good humour. Publishing here his Friday reflections from a couple of weeks  ago to share just a tiny bit of life as the inimitable Michael Osbaldeston. Here’s to the next 30! What a week!  If there is a certain beer...

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New Local Community Skills Fund to empower UK communities through skills and training

New Local Community Skills Fund to empower UK communities through skills and training

by | 16 Jan 2025 | , , , ,

Grants of up to £10,000 available for UK Charities, Social Enterprises and Training Providers. City & Guilds Foundation has launched a pilot scheme to help fund initiatives designed to boost employment, skills and development in communities across the UK. As part of the Foundation’s drive to support innovative local projects, the Local Community Skills Fund aims to boost community-led initiatives which may not be eligible for funding from traditional sources. The Fund will tackle skills...

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Changing Lives, Changing Industries: HMP Highpoint’s groundbreaking rail training

Changing Lives, Changing Industries: HMP Highpoint’s groundbreaking rail training

by | 5 Dec 2024 | , ,

Around two weeks ago, we had the privilege of attending HMP Highpoint to see the opening of the first ever rail centre of excellence in prison, which back in 2022 we provided funding for installation of a rail track so that industry-standard training could be delivered to the men inside. We talk a lot in the City & Guilds Foundation about our role in removing barriers for people to gain skills and opportunities. But in seeing the incredible facilities – a pipe dream less than two and a...

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Launching City & Guilds Impact Report 2024!

Launching City & Guilds Impact Report 2024!

by | 24 Oct 2024 | , , ,

For over 145 years, City & Guilds has been committed to making a meaningful impact on society by delivering high-quality skills training that meets the demands of the times. At the heart of this mission is helping individuals gain the competencies they need to secure a job, improve their skills, and advance in their careers. Through this, we are not only changing lives but also driving growth across industries and boosting productivity. A key measure of success for us this year is looking...

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How Catch22 is supporting individuals into entry-level green sector roles

How Catch22 is supporting individuals into entry-level green sector roles

by | 7 Oct 2024 | , , , , ,

We know that the cost of training can be a huge obstacle to accessing the skills needed to get into work. This makes it even more challenging to those already facing barriers in society. That’s why over 20 years ago we established our bursary programme: to support those in financial need to access training and development which will lead to sustainable employment. We focus particularly on awarding funding in sectors where more skilled workers will be needed in the future. So when we heard that...

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Advancing A Greener Future: City & Guilds’ Carbon Reduction Journey

Advancing A Greener Future: City & Guilds’ Carbon Reduction Journey

by | 4 Apr 2024 | , , ,

As a global leader in skills development, we at City & Guilds recognise the vital role we play in addressing social, environmental, and economic issues. We are committed to embedding responsible business practices into all aspects of our work, which includes our journey to becoming net zero. We recently completed the annual calculation of our carbon footprint, and are proud to announce we have achieved a commendable 10% reduction in carbon emissions compared to our baseline in 2019. This...

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Making a real difference, and genuinely changing lives

Making a real difference, and genuinely changing lives

by | 3 Oct 2023 | , , ,

I have always known that City & Guilds is a force for good – helping millions of people to access skills. And it’s no surprise really that for nearly 150 years our purpose has remained the same – to help people, organisations and economies to develop their skills for growth. I am delighted to be able to launch today our impact report, which brings to life exactly how we’re delivering on our purpose and making a real difference – genuinely changing lives. [flipbook...

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