{"id":78405,"date":"2017-01-27T10:18:46","date_gmt":"2017-01-27T10:18:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=25bc287d3f838f21d3851085db95bdb8"},"modified":"2017-01-27T10:18:46","modified_gmt":"2017-01-27T10:18:46","slug":"press-release-interim-manager-appointed-support-the-heroes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=78405","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Interim Manager appointed: Support the Heroes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, has opened a statutory inquiry into Support the Heroes (registered charity number 1155853)<\/a> and appointed an interim manager to run the charity. The inquiry was opened on 10 November 2016.<\/p>\n

The charity has objects to support those serving or who have served in the Armed Forces. The charity currently furthers its objects by making grants to other charities.<\/p>\n

The regulator opened the inquiry following its investigation into a number of complaints about the charity, in particular about its fundraising activities. The Commission has serious concerns about an agreement that the charity has entered with a commercial fundraising company. It is particularly concerned about the transparency of the charity\u2019s fundraising arrangements and the ability of the public to make an informed decision about donating to the charity. The regulator is also examining the charity\u2019s governance arrangements and the ability of the trustees to avoid or manage potential conflicts of interest. The Commission is also liaising with the Fundraising Regulator about its concerns with the charity\u2019s fundraising practices.<\/p>\n

As a result of these serious concerns the Commission ordered the trustees not to part with any of the charity\u2019s property on 11 November 2016, as well as directing them to cease all fundraising while it conducts further investigations. The Commission froze the charity\u2019s and subsidiary\u2019s bank accounts on 18 November 2016.<\/p>\n

The Commission appointed Brian Johnson of HW Fisher & Company as interim manager on 9 December 2016 to assist the Commission in swiftly addressing its regulatory concerns. The interim manager is appointed with all the powers and duties of a trustee and will act to the exclusion of the current charity trustees. This is a temporary appointment and will be reviewed on a regular basis in line with normal procedures.<\/p>\n

The inquiry will examine the administration, governance and management of the charity by the trustees, in particular the extent to which the trustees have:<\/p>\n