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Polly Rowe

Polly Rowe

Senior Impact, Programme and Engagement Manager

“Pol-ee Row”  she/her

PPolly works across all of our Foundation programmes, but with a particular focus on our grant giving work, awards and overall comms and engagement.

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:

Announcing our new Chief Executive, Ben Blackledge

Announcing our new Chief Executive, Ben Blackledge

by | 12 May 2026 | , ,

A leading voice in UK and international skills development will join us at a pivotal moment for opportunity and growth. Today we’ve announced the appointment of Ben Blackledge as our new Chief Executive, bringing extensive experience in skills leadership and a strong commitment to transforming lives through education and opportunity. Ben joins from WorldSkills UK, where he has spent the past 12 years, most recently as CEO, championing skills excellence and helping to create world-class...

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Celebrating award-winning apprenticeships with The Princess Royal Training Award recipient, National Theatre

Celebrating award-winning apprenticeships with The Princess Royal Training Award recipient, National Theatre

by | 29 Apr 2026 | , , , , ,

The Princess Royal Training Awards are one of our flagship programmes supported by our President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, who has championed the programme since its inception. Now in its eleventh year, the Awards have recognised over 300 employers delivering exceptional training programmes and demonstrating the positive impact that it’s had on individuals, organisations and wider society. This week, Her Royal Highness visited the National Theatre to celebrate its pioneering...

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Welcoming Jessica Leigh Jones MBE FCGI as our new Chair

Welcoming Jessica Leigh Jones MBE FCGI as our new Chair

by | 21 Apr 2026 | ,

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...

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From pizza dough to people development: A visit to Princess Royal Training Award recipient, Domino’s Pizza UK and Ireland

From pizza dough to people development: A visit to Princess Royal Training Award recipient, Domino’s Pizza UK and Ireland

by | 26 Mar 2026 | , , , ,

Walking into Domino’s HQ in Milton Keynes feels a bit like stepping inside the heartbeat of a brand that never stops moving. From the hum of cutting‑edge automation to the warmth of a team who truly live their values, the visit offered a rare look at the people and processes powering one of the UK’s most recognisable names. And at the centre of it all is a culture that not only attracts talent but keeps it for decades! Our recent visit to Domino’s offered an inspiring look at an organisation...

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Awareness Isn’t Enough: What the 2026 Neurodiversity Index really tells us

Awareness Isn’t Enough: What the 2026 Neurodiversity Index really tells us

by | 11 Mar 2026 | , ,

Today we’ve launched our Neurodiversity Index in partnership with Do-IT Solutions, and the headline from this year’s report - Despite organisations feeling more confident than ever about supporting neurodivergent staff, the lived experience of neurodivergent employees is moving in the opposite direction. Now in its fourth year, and in partnership with Do-IT Solutions, the Index provides the clearest picture yet of how neurodivergent people experience work in the UK, and this year’s results...

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Creating Pathways, Unlocking Potential: City & Guilds Foundation partnership with Be the Business

Creating Pathways, Unlocking Potential: City & Guilds Foundation partnership with Be the Business

by | 24 Feb 2026 | , , , , , ,

Today marked an important milestone in our partnership with Be the Business, as they hosted the first kick‑off workshop of their new programme, funded by the City & Guilds Foundation, designed to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) create inclusive, accessible pathways into work for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds across London. Bringing together a committed group of employers from across sectors, the workshop set the tone for an ambitious pilot: one that recognises the...

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Championing change: our role as co-conveners of the ACF Criminal Justice Network

Championing change: our role as co-conveners of the ACF Criminal Justice Network

by | 10 Dec 2025 | , , ,

At City & Guilds Foundation, we believe in removing barriers and creating opportunities for those who need them most. That’s why we’re proud to be co-conveners of the Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) Criminal Justice Network, alongside Co-op Foundation. This role allows us to connect with like-minded funders, share insights, and advocate for meaningful change within the criminal justice system. Over the past year, we’ve hosted three impactful events that have brought together...

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£247,000 awarded to support young Londoners’ futures

£247,000 awarded to support young Londoners’ futures

by | 18 Nov 2025 | , , ,

We’re pleased to announce the first round of funding from our newly established Transitions Commission, which has seen us award £247,000 in grants to three London-based charities which are dedicated to helping young people move successfully into education and employment. This initiative comes at a critical time. Across the UK, nearly one million young people are not in education, employment, or training (NEET)—the highest level in over a decade. In London, youth unemployment stands at 14.6%,...

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A New Chapter for the City & Guilds Foundation

A New Chapter for the City & Guilds Foundation

by | 30 Oct 2025 | ,

The City & Guilds of London Institute has entered a landmark agreement with global leader in education and assessment PeopleCert, marking a pivotal moment in which our revenue-generating activities will be enabled to access greater investment, and have greater impact moving forwards. This strategic move will also enable the Foundation to focus even more sharply on its charitable mission — championing skills development, increasing access to opportunity, and supporting those furthest from...

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Fellowship in the City: inspiration, celebration and connection

Fellowship in the City: inspiration, celebration and connection

by | 10 Sep 2025 | , , ,

The day began with a warm welcome from our City & Guilds Vice-Chair and City & Guilds Foundation Chair, Dick Palmer FCGI, followed by remarks from Sir Andrew Parmley, representing the Lord Mayor. Their reflections on the historic ties between City & Guilds and the City of London set the tone for an afternoon rooted in legacy and forward-thinking. Our keynote speaker, Prof Dr Larissa Suzuki, captivated the room with her talk on “AI will benefit society; how...

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