皇冠体育app

皇冠体育app Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into to examine concerns about the trustees鈥� administration and management of the charity, including around payments to connected parties and overseas expenditure.

皇冠体育app charity was established in 2008 to aid those in poverty, particularly in Asia. It is based in London but funds an orphanage in Bangladesh.

皇冠体育app Commission first engaged with the charity in 2021 on a proactive basis over concerns around international cash couriering. During compliance visits to the charity, the regulator identified a number of further concerns which represented breaches of the charity鈥檚 governing document and charity law.

皇冠体育app Commission used its powers to obtain and analyse the charity鈥檚 bank statements and found payments to private companies linked to some of the charity鈥檚 trustees, which the trustees have been unable to sufficiently explain.

As part of its purposes, the charity states that it funds an orphanage in Bangladesh, and this is where most of its money goes. However, the Commission is concerned that the trustees cannot fully account for all its expenditure to this end, or clearly explain how the orphanage and the funds it receives are managed.

皇冠体育appse concerns, exacerbated by a lack of documentary evidence and the charity鈥檚 often late statutory annual returns, are evidence of misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration of the charity. 皇冠体育apprefore, an inquiry was opened on 3 April 2023. It will examine the following regulatory issues:

• the administration, governance and management of the charity by the trustees
• conflicts of interest and or loyalty and related party payments
• financial controls and management of the charity and whether its funds have been properly expended solely for the exclusive charitable purposes and can be accounted for
• whether or not the trustees have complied with and fulfilled their duties and responsibilities as trustee under charity law

皇冠体育app Commission may extend the scope of the inquiry if additional regulatory issues emerge.

It is the Commission鈥檚 policy to publish a report upon concluding an inquiry to detail its findings, conclusions, and any regulatory action taken.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. 皇冠体育app Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its purpose is to ensure charity can thrive and inspire trust so that people can improve lives and strengthen society.
2. 皇冠体育app inquiry was opened on the 3rd April 2023, under section 46 of the Charities Act 2011.