Naomi Campbell Hit with Charity Trustee Ban in the UK: What’s Behind the Controversy?
Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been banned from serving as a charity trustee in England and Wales for five years due to the mismanagement of her charity, Fashion for Relief. This decision comes after a thorough investigation by the Charity Commission, which concluded on September 27 that Campbell’s charity had numerous irregularities and inadequate management practices.
The investigation revealed that only 8.5% of the total funds raised over a six-year period, starting in 2016, were utilized to support community initiatives. According to The Guardian, Campbell’s charity raised nearly £4.8 million through various fashion shows but transferred only £389,000 to other charitable organizations.
The UK Charity Commission, established in 1853, serves as the governing body for humanitarian organizations in the UK, ensuring compliance with charity law. As an independent government department, it is responsible to the British Parliament and oversees the ethical and financial operations of registered charities.
Investigators described the financial management and record-keeping of Campbell’s organization as “chaotic,” citing a lack of proper documentation such as invoices, vouchers, and meeting minutes. Notably, the charity had no full-time staff and relied on outside consultants. The investigation revealed questionable expenditures, including €14,800 for flights to a fundraising event in Cannes in May 2018 and payments for luxury accommodations, spas, and security services.
In response to the allegations, Campbell claimed that the expenses were reimbursed by a sponsor and maintained that the charity’s funds were used for humanitarian purposes. However, she was unable to provide evidence to substantiate her claims when requested by the Committee.
In addition to Campbell, her co-trustee Bianka Hellmich was found to have received approximately £290,000 in illegal funds from consulting services, leading to her ban from the trustee role for nine years. Another trustee, Veronica Chou, has been suspended for four years.
Tim Hopkins, assistant director of professional investigations and standards at the Commission, emphasized that trustees have a legal duty to act in the best interest of the charity and comply with the law. He noted that the failures of those involved necessitated their removal from their positions.
The authorities have since recovered about £344,000, which will be allocated to two organizations: Save the Children and the Mayor’s Fund for London. The remaining funds will be used to pay off outstanding debts.
Naomi Campbell, born in 1970 in England, has had a remarkable career since beginning modeling at age 15. She founded Fashion for Relief in 2005 to organize fundraising fashion events aimed at alleviating poverty and improving health and education. The charity has raised over $15 million for various causes worldwide but was ultimately dissolved in March 2023 following the investigation.
