Charity regulator appoints interim manager to Islamic Research Foundation International

The Charity Commission has appointed an interim manager to Islamic Research Foundation International (registered charity 1122086), a charity which aims to advance the Islamic faith via the Peace TV network.

The Commission opened a statutory inquiry into the charity in April 2020 to examine concerns about its administration and governance, including trustee decision making around continuing to fund Peace TV channels despite breaches of Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code.

The regulator continues to have serious concerns about the administration of the charity. It therefore exercised its powers under the Charities Act 2011 to appoint an Interim Manager, Virginia Henley of Hewitsons LLP, on 29 July 2020.

Her role will be to take on the running of the charity to the exclusion of its trustees including acting as manager of the charity’s property and affairs. She will also be tasked with considering the future viability of the charity.

Interim managers are appointed as a temporary and protective measure where the Commission has identified misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration of a charity, or where there is a need to protect a charity’s property.

The Commission’s inquiry continues.

Ends.

Notes to editors:

1. Section 76(3)(g) of the Charities Act 2011 gives the Commission power to appoint interim managers to a charity.
2. This appointment is a temporary and protective power that will be reviewed at regular intervals. It will continue until the Commission makes a further order for its variation or discharge.
3. It is the Commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing what issues the inquiry looked at, what actions were undertaken as part of the inquiry and what the outcomes were. Reports of previous inquiries are available on GOV.UK.
4. The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its purpose is to ensure charity can thrive and inspire trust so that people can improve lives and strengthen society.