History

We invite you to look back at a brief history of the Trust: from the establishment of its forerunner in 1887, which trained clerks for the City of London, to today as a grant-maker and convener in commercial education.

While our organisation’s activities have changed over time, our commitment to improving educational and career opportunities for young people has remained constant.

1887

The London Chamber of Commerce appoints a Commercial Education Committee to address the skills crisis: clerks are insufficiently well-educated for key jobs in the City of London.

OVER
TIME

The Chamber becomes an established examining body with an international reputation and examinations centres in over eighty countries.

1967

The London Chamber of Commerce Commercial Education Scheme reconstituted as a charity.

OVER
TIME

In addition to growing its own examinations the LCCI Examinations Board becomes the third largest body awarding National Vocational Qualifications in financial management, IT, company secretarial practice, marketing and English.

1989

The Scheme is incorporated as London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Commercial Education Trust (CET).

2002

The LCCI Examinations Board is sold to Education Development International plc (EDI) and CET becomes a grant-making charity.

2014

Launch of CET's Commercial Education Lecture series with speaker Sir Harvey McGrath. Alison Wolf, Baroness Wolf of Dulwich and Sherry Coutu CBE give keynote Commercial Education lectures in subsequent years.

2017

Milestone of £3 million in grant awards is achieved.

2018

Publication of 'Lost in Transition' which explores the challenges of preparing young people for work.

2018

Justin King CBE delivers the Commercial Education Lecture 2018 (15 November, at the Francis Crick Institute).

2019

Publication of 'Future Proofing the Next Generation' which looks at how to prepare students to move into the world beyond education.

2019

Publication of 'Breaking Barriers' which highlights findings from a CET gathering of education experts.

2020

Publication of 'Lessons from Employer Led Learning' which highlights findings from a CET-funded evaluation of Career Colleges which explores employer engagement in education.