This month brings exciting news: a new leader, a memorable visit to the National Theatre with HRH The Princess Royal, and a look at what's coming next for our strategy and partnerships.
Foundation Newsletter: May 2026
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News
The latest stories in this category from the City & Guilds Foundation and our networks.
Rising dough, rising futures: Ā£50,000 awarded to The Clink Bakery at HMP Brixton
The City & Guilds Foundation has awarded Ā£50,000 to The Clink Charity to safeguard and strengthen The Clink Bakery at HMP Brixton; a life-changing vocational training programme that is equipping people in prison with the skills, qualifications and support they need to build stable lives after release. About The Clink Bakery The Clink Bakery opened in October 2022 at HMP Brixton, next door to The Clink's award-winning restaurant. Operating as a real production kitchen, it provides learners...
Building Skills, Rebuilding Futures: The Transformation of Spinney House
A major refurbishment project which was awarded Ā£25,000 funding from us at the City & Guilds Foundation is nearing completion. The project has saw the transformation of an empty three-bedroom house into a safe, welcoming space where women on Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) can spend quality time with their children. The initiative, delivered by Volunteer It Yourself in partnership with Wates Group, is around 85% complete and already demonstrating the value of combining rehabilitation...
Announcing our new Chief Executive, Ben Blackledge
A leading voice in UK and international skills development will join us at a pivotal moment for opportunity and growth. Today weāve 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...
City & Guilds Foundation awards Ā£25,000 to Citizen Hub to unlock accessible volunteering and skills development
Citizen Hub has been awarded Ā£25,000 from the City & Guilds Foundation to expand its work in making volunteering more accessible and strengthening community-led support in St Neots and Wimbledon. The funding will be split equally between Citizen Hub St Neots and Citizen Hub Wimbledon, supporting a 12-month programme designed to remove barriers to volunteering and create meaningful pathways into employment and community leadership. The funding will cover essential costs such as travel,...
Celebrating award-winning apprenticeships with The Princess Royal Training Award recipient, National Theatre
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 itās had on individuals, organisations and wider society. This week, Her Royal Highness visited the National Theatre to celebrate its pioneering...
Insights from our Transition Commission: Supporting young people at critical life stages
This week, partners from the first round of Transition Commission funding came together to share progress and early learnings from their programmes. While still in the early stages, the discussion highlighted the importance of targeted, local support in helping young people at risk of disengaging from education, training or employment. Why this work matters At the start of our meeting Laura-Jane Rawlings, Chair of our Transition Commission and CEO at Youth Employment UK, gave an update on the...
How Liberty Kitchen is using skills to unlock potential and productivity
Foundation Newsletter: April 2026
Following the sale of the Institute's awarding and training activities to PeopleCert, the Foundation enters a new phase - focused on long-term skills pathways, tackling inequality, and shaping a stronger strategy with partners across education, industry and the third sector.
Welcoming Jessica Leigh Jones MBE FCGI as our new Chair
Weāre 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...