This follows a Charity Commission decision to open an investigation into serious concerns about the charity’s governance. The regulator says the move is in response to the lack of effective governance oversight over the charity, and has also frozen its bank account.  The charity is based in the borough of Newham, and its purposes include promoting and providing for the advancement of education in accordance with the doctrines and principles of the Christian faith. 

It has been experiencing financial difficulties and entered into a company voluntary arrangement in 2014. The charity’s premises were sold in 2015 which has allowed the school to keep operating.

As a result of the death of one trustee and the resignation of another, the charity has recently been functioning with only one trustee. This is in breach of the charity’s governing document which requires three trustees to make decisions.

The Commission’s engagement was prompted by recent complaints about the charity’s governance and management.

The inquiry will examine a number of regulatory issues, including the extent to which the trustees have complied with the governing document of the charity; the financial control and management of the charity; and whether the trustees have avoided or adequately managed potential conflicts of interest.

It will also consider the extent to which the trustees complied with the requirements of the Charities Act when disposing of the charity’s property in 2015, as well as decisions regarding the charity’s future, and whether connected party transactions and remuneration to trustees have been properly authorised.

The joint interim managers will take on full control of the day-to-day management and administration of the charity from the current trustee until the Commission makes a further order. Part of their duties will be to establish the viability of the charity and the school it operates and determine the most appropriate option regarding the charity’s future.