Two top executives at City & Guilds, one of the largest vocational training providers in the UK, have been placed on leave pending an internal investigation into a bonus scandal that has triggered a Charity Commission inquiry. Kirstie Donnelly, the chief executive, and Abid Ismail, the chief financial officer, will be "absent from work for a short period" as the company's new owner, PeopleCert, seeks to understand how multi-million pound bonuses were awarded to executives after the charity privatized its business arm.
The investigation was announced last month after it emerged that City & Guilds executives received £1.7m and £1.2m in bonuses respectively after the charity sold off its training and qualifications business to PeopleCert for a reported £180-200m. The sale also led to a £22m cost-cutting drive and a significant reduction in the UK workforce.
Donnelly and Ismail will be absent from work as the company's senior leaders take over their responsibilities, while an internal investigation is conducted into events before and after the sale. PeopleCert has said it will "cooperate fully with the Charity Commission's inquiry as required" and that the plans to reduce its UK workforce would be achieved via "attrition", rather than compulsory redundancies.
The Charity Commission is conducting a statutory inquiry into the events leading up to the sale, including concerns raised in public reporting relating to the bonuses awarded to executives. The charity's trustees have said they are cooperating fully with the investigation and remain confident that all actions taken by the board were proper and transparent.
The scandal has raised questions about the governance of the charity and its decision to privatize its business arm, with some critics accusing the board of prioritizing profits over public interests. The outcome of the internal investigation and Charity Commission inquiry is yet to be determined.
The investigation was announced last month after it emerged that City & Guilds executives received £1.7m and £1.2m in bonuses respectively after the charity sold off its training and qualifications business to PeopleCert for a reported £180-200m. The sale also led to a £22m cost-cutting drive and a significant reduction in the UK workforce.
Donnelly and Ismail will be absent from work as the company's senior leaders take over their responsibilities, while an internal investigation is conducted into events before and after the sale. PeopleCert has said it will "cooperate fully with the Charity Commission's inquiry as required" and that the plans to reduce its UK workforce would be achieved via "attrition", rather than compulsory redundancies.
The Charity Commission is conducting a statutory inquiry into the events leading up to the sale, including concerns raised in public reporting relating to the bonuses awarded to executives. The charity's trustees have said they are cooperating fully with the investigation and remain confident that all actions taken by the board were proper and transparent.
The scandal has raised questions about the governance of the charity and its decision to privatize its business arm, with some critics accusing the board of prioritizing profits over public interests. The outcome of the internal investigation and Charity Commission inquiry is yet to be determined.
I'm telling you, this whole thing smells like a rat 
. One minute City & Guilds is raking in cash from selling off its business arm, next thing you know, its top execs are getting multi-million pound bonuses for doing what? It's just too convenient. And now they're putting two of the main culprits on leave pending an investigation? Yeah right 
. I'm not buying it. There's gotta be more to this story than meets the eye... maybe some shady deals with PeopleCert, or a cover-up to hide the charity's true motives. We'll see what the Charity Commission finds out, but I got my doubts 
. And now they're putting 2 top executives on leave pending an investigation, but what about the rest of us who got hit with a £22m cost-cutting drive? It's like they're trying to sweep this under the rug 
. The Charity Commission is finally doing something about it, so fingers crossed they get to the bottom of this 
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The public shouldn't have to foot the bill for their own success, especially if it came at the cost of a 22m reduction in staff and the UK workforce taking a hit 
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. I mean, £1.7m and £1.2m in bonuses for these top execs? That's just wild 
. And it's not like they're doing anything to help the charity or the people who actually rely on them for training and qualifications. It's all about lining their own pockets and making a profit.
. But I'm not sure how effective it'll be. These top execs are just going to sit back and collect their paychecks while the investigation happens? That doesn't seem right 
this whole thing with City & Guilds is just so crazy! like, i get that bonuses are a thing, but £1.7m? 
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. I hope we get some clarity on this soon and that those affected by the scandal receive the support they need 
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. It's not just about the money – it's about who's accountable and making sure that these kinds of deals aren't happening in the future. Fingers crossed for that! 
is getting worse! £1.7m & £1.2m bonuses for who? City & Guilds needs a major overhaul, imo. 
This charity needs some serious reform ASAP 
It's just not right that these top execs get to reap the rewards while the rest of us are left to deal with the consequences. And now they're being kept under wraps, not even being held accountable by the Charity Commission. This is a total fail on their part and it's time for them to face the music 
. one thing's for sure tho, if u're a fan of vocational training in the UK this is def not good news 
I mean come on! £1.7m and £1.2m in bonuses for two top execs? That's just outrageous 
. And now the new owner is all "oh no, we're gonna investigate" but I'm sure it'll just be a slap on the wrist