Kirstie Donnelly is Chief Executive at City & Guilds. Kirstie has worked at the forefront of skills and education for 35 years, working internationally as well as nationally, across private sector, charity and government.

Throughout her career Kirstie has spearheaded the development of award-winning products and services and is a passionate advocate of the role of skills in opening up opportunities for all - social impact and overall productivity. 

Kirstie is the joint Chair of the Federation of Awarding Bodies and is a member of the FutureLearn Advisory Board. She has also been a commissioner on the Lifelong Learning review undertaken by Labour in 2018, and was a commissioner on the cross party Apprenticeships review in 2015. She has also published numerous reports around skills, jobs and leadership.   

Kirstie was awarded an MBE in the Queens Honours in 2011, for her services to innovation in Further Education and skills.