Fee hikes, big bonuses, then bosses exit: the curious case of City & Guilds privatisation

Skills & Employment
Fee hikes, big bonuses, then bosses exit: the curious case of City & Guilds privatisation
Published April 19, 2026

Sale of vocational training brand and million-pound executive pay deals now subject to Charity Commission inquiry

When electrician Charlie Butler was contacted by City & Guilds last autumn, he received a shock.

He had branched out to launch a new company schooling future sparkies in Essex, offering City & Guilds-affiliated courses and qualifications. When the representative from the training charity called, Butler was expecting a quick conversation about a small uptick in the annual fees.

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