The mismanagement of The Captain Tom Foundation by family members does not reflect “the hard work of thousands of charities” that abide by the rules, charity leaders have said.
The Charity Commission today published its report into the foundation, which found that Hannah and Colin Ingram-Moore were responsible for a “pattern of behaviour” that saw them repeatedly benefit personally from the charity.
The commission’s inquiry report warns that the conduct of the Ingram-Moores with regard to an almost £1.5m book advance that the charity received none of, “has or is likely to have damaged public trust and confidence in the charity and charities generally”.
Responding to the news, Saskia Konynenburg, executive director of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, said: “We know this news could dent public confidence in giving, but it shouldn’t.
“This case doesn’t reflect the hard work of thousands of charities that abide by the principles of ethical decision making, champion integrity and openness while also transforming millions of lives every day.
“Charities need the support of the public like never before, as they are facing growing demand and higher costs to deliver their services, while funding continues to fall.
“The circumstances of this case are very unique and the outcomes of the investigation are clear. We welcome the sensible recommendations for trustees and the value of upholding good governance practices.”
Jane Ide, chief executive of the charity leaders body Acevo, said this sort of behaviour is “microscopically rare”.
She said: “These headlines today are going to be hard reading for the hundreds of thousands of people who put their hands in their pockets, inspired by Captain Sir Tom and the impact he had during the pandemic.
“But it is crucial for the public to be able to feel confident in our sector and those that lead within it; and that is why it is so important that our regulator, the Charity Commission for England and Wales, undertakes sensitive investigations such as this with clarity and even-handedness.”
The Ingram-Moores, who were disqualified earlier this year from being charity trustees, have issued a statement saying they had been treated “unfairly and unjustly” and never took a penny from public donations.
The family said the inquiry process had been “excessive” and claimed the Charity Commission had a “predetermined agenda”.
The statement said: “True accountability demands transparency, not selective storytelling.”