Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been banned from serving as a charity trustee in England and Wales for five years. The decision comes after a three-year investigation by the Charity Commission revealed that her charity, Fashion for Relief, suffered from poor governance and inadequate financial management. The investigation uncovered a concerning pattern of mismanagement, with only 8.5% of the charity’s overall expenditure going towards charitable grants over a six-year period from 2016.
The Charity Commission highlighted several instances of misconduct, including the misuse of charity funds for Campbell’s lavish hotel stay in Cannes. The investigation revealed that thousands of pounds were spent on spa treatments, room service, and even cigarettes during her stay. While Campbell and the trustees initially claimed that the hotel costs were covered by a donor, no evidence was provided to support this claim.
The commission also found that fellow trustee Bianka Hellmich received around £290,000 (€347,600) in unauthorized funds for consultancy services, a violation of the charity’s constitution. Hellmich has been disqualified as a trustee for nine years. Another trustee, Veronica Chou, has been barred for four years.
In response to the findings, Campbell expressed concern and launched her own investigation, stating that she was not in control of the charity and had delegated responsibility to legal employers. She emphasized her commitment to charitable causes, asserting that every penny she raised went to charity.
The Charity Commission emphasized the importance of trustees fulfilling their legal obligations and acting in the best interests of the charity. Tim Hopkins, deputy director for specialist investigations and standards, stated that the trustees failed to meet these responsibilities, leading to their disqualification.
Fashion for Relief, founded in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina, was dissolved and removed from the register of charities earlier this year. Despite the investigation’s findings, the charity’s website remains active, showcasing fashion initiatives and projects undertaken in cities like New York, London, Cannes, Moscow, Mumbai, and Dar es Salaam. The website claims that the charity raised over $15 million (€13.4m) for good causes globally.
Fashion for Relief was established with the aim of uniting the fashion industry to alleviate poverty, advance health and education, and provide resources for global disasters. The Charity Commission has recovered around £344,000 (€412,300) and protected a further £98,000 (€117,000) of charitable funds. These funds were used to make donations to other charities and settle outstanding liabilities.
