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Polly Rowe

Polly Rowe

Senior Impact, Programme and Engagement Manager

“Pol-ee Row”  she/her

Polly works across all of our Foundation programmes, but with a particular focus on our grant giving work and measuring our social impact.

She is particularly passionate about rehabilitating ex-offenders, bursaries and impact.

Polly is extremely organised, and has experience in communications and building good relationships.

When she’s not at work, Polly enjoys spending time with her family and ferrying her daughter from various clubs and activities!

relator | maximizer | activator | communication | strategic

The latest stories from Polly Rowe on the City & Guilds Foundation website:

Inspiring talent: celebrating exceptional tutors and trainers

Inspiring talent: celebrating exceptional tutors and trainers

by | 7 Apr 2025 | , , ,

Here at City & Guilds Foundation we use the power of celebration to recognise and reward excellence, and our most recent award programme which does just that are the Membership Awards. Launched in 2024, the Membership Awards shine a spotlight on the trainers and tutors who have made all the difference in delivering training which goes above and beyond the norm. In the inaugural year, 15 worthy individuals received an Award, and we’re thrilled to now be launching the Awards again for 2025!...

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Celebrating women leaders and the power of accelerating action this International Women’s Day

Celebrating women leaders and the power of accelerating action this International Women’s Day

by | 8 Mar 2025 | , ,

To celebrate International Women’s Day I am delighted to share with you this conversation I had with three powerhouse female leaders who I get the pleasure of working with in my day job! I am joined in this podcast with Kirstie Donnelly MBE, our City & Guilds Chief Executive; Fenella Tallon, Chief Assessor for our Princess Royal Training Awards and; Faiza Khan MBE, our Executive Director for Corporate Affairs and Foundation. In the conversation my lovely guests explored with me why it’s...

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Celebrating talent, recognising excellence in skills

Celebrating talent, recognising excellence in skills

by | 5 Mar 2025 | , , , , ,

On Monday 3 March, City & Guilds was pleased to be at the annual Livery Company Prize ceremony which took place at Mansion House in London. The event celebrated excellence in skills development and recognised individuals who are on the path of honing their skills, as well as those dedicated to training and tutoring them. The ceremony is always a poignant reminder of City & Guilds' rich heritage, established nearly 150 years ago by the City and the great craft Guilds. The support from...

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Celebrating our 2024 Fellows of the City & Guilds of London Institute

Celebrating our 2024 Fellows of the City & Guilds of London Institute

by | 22 Jan 2025 | , , , , ,

We are delighted to have recently awarded Fellowship of the City & Guilds of London Institute to five new Fellows who are making exceptional contributions to industry, education and craft. Becoming a Fellow is a prestigious honour; the highest that can be conferred by the City and Guilds of London Institute. Founded in 1878 and established as part of the City & Guilds Foundation, the Fellowship is a mark of excellence, celebrating those who have demonstrated remarkable professional and...

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Inspiration and innovation at HMP Pentonville with XO Bikes

Inspiration and innovation at HMP Pentonville with XO Bikes

by | 9 Oct 2024 | , , , , , , , ,

Since we created the City & Guilds Foundation in 2019, one of our key funding activities has been identifying and activating practical ways to support those who have been in Prison (or at risk of entering Prison) to build skills and secure, and sustain, employment. We know that there is a recognised and agreed need to reduce reoffending, and evidence shows that upskilling prisoners, together with stable accommodation and support is the most effective way to recidivism. Our £1m Big Idea...

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Green Start: A transformative programme continuing to empower ex-offenders from Groundwork

Green Start: A transformative programme continuing to empower ex-offenders from Groundwork

by | 21 Jun 2024 | , , , ,

Last year, we reported on the inspiring work being carried out by Groundwork, a UK-wide alliance of charities that brings communities together to tackle poverty and environmental challenges. Committed to creating opportunities for all, they launched their Green Start programme in 2021 in partnership with the City & Guilds Foundation to equip prison leavers with construction, carbon literacy and green skills. The programme has exceeded expectations, with positive prisoner outcomes, a...

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Improving young refugees’ educational outcomes through our partnership with the Positive Youth Foundation

Improving young refugees’ educational outcomes through our partnership with the Positive Youth Foundation

by | 29 Jan 2024 | , , , , ,

At the City & Guilds Foundation we’re passionate about advocating for, and supporting, people who face barriers to accessing skills development. Two years ago, we looked at supporting refugees as a beneficiary group – and have supported a number of different grass root charities in the UK who are making a quantifiable impact on many lives within refugee and migrant communities. One such organisation that we are proud to support is the Positive Youth Foundation (PYF) based in Coventry....

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Big Idea Fund: Five new projects awarded funding to unlock potential and support rehabilitation

Big Idea Fund: Five new projects awarded funding to unlock potential and support rehabilitation

by | 8 Nov 2023 | , , ,

Back in June we announced that we were inviting expressions of interest for the second round of our Big Idea Fund. The £1m Big Idea Fund was established in 2019 as the first major initiative of our Foundation, to support prisoners with upskilling to aid their rehabilitation on release. Following an initial shortlist, 11 projects out of 37 applications were invited to submit a full application which was scored by our Commissioner Panel which includes City & Guilds Chief Executive, Kirstie...

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Improving ex-offenders’ prospects through Groundwork’s ‘Green Start’ programme

Improving ex-offenders’ prospects through Groundwork’s ‘Green Start’ programme

by | 26 May 2023 | , , ,

Groundwork is a federation of charities mobilising practical community action on poverty and the environment across the UK. Dedicated to supporting communities and creating a green future, they aim to improve people’s prospects and promote opportunities for everyone, whatever their background or circumstances. As part of Groundwork’s commitment to enhancing opportunities for employability, back in 2021 they launched their ‘Green Start’ programme, in partnership with us at the City & Guilds...

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