"Trust in the sector is now at a ten year high, and on an upward
trajectory… The Commission itself is a global leader in charity
regulation, with an authoritative regulatory voice" said the
Chair of the Charity Commission at the regulator's Annual Public
Meeting today.
Orlando Fraser KC made the assessment as he announced that he
will be concluding his period as Chair of the Commission when his
current term ends in April 2025.
After serving 4 and a half years as a board member between 2013
and 2017 and latterly Chair from 2022, Orlando will have served
the Commission for 7 and a half years by April.
In his speech at the Commission's Annual Public Meeting, Fraser
said:
I have agreed with the new Secretary of State that I will hand on
the baton to a successor at the end of my term in April next
year.
Fraser used his final speech to highlight the principles of
fairness, balance and independence that underpin the Commission's
strategy for 2024 – 2029, which he launched earlier this year:
Balance means ensuring the pendulum between enforcement and
support never swings too far in one direction.
Reviewing aspects of regulatory casework from the past year,
Fraser observed that the Commission's work:
in holding to account wrongdoing at the Captain Tom Foundation,
Fashion for Relief, and Burke's Peerage and the Mahfouz
Foundation show that fame, celebrity and connections are no
protection against the law or our regulatory oversight.
He also noted that the Commission has opened more than 200
regulatory cases relating to public statements or alleged support
for terrorist groups by charities since the escalation of the
conflict in the Middle East in October 2023. Fraser said the
Commission has made over 40 referrals to the police in connection
with such cases.
Turning to review areas of special interest during his tenure as
Chair, Fraser cited successful work on communicating the law
around political campaigning. Positive evidence from the recent
General Election campaign, Fraser said, suggested there was now a
wider understanding of the ability for charities to engage in
political campaigning in line with their purposes, and within the
limits of the law.
Fraser also highlighted how he has vocally supported the
contribution made by charitable think tanks of different
perspectives:
against critics who would silence them for ideological reasons,
as well as speaking out in favour of the work of our
international aid charities against their own ideological
critics.
Fraser also said he had made it a mission to encourage a new age
of philanthropic giving in our country and had taken steps
towards this goal, supported by the addition of philanthropist
Rory Brooks to the Commission's Board. Fraser indicated that:
support from successive Governments on this issue means that
philanthropy's important role in our society's success is
increasingly more acknowledged, and less ignored.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said:
I am grateful to Orlando Fraser for his service to the Charity
Commission as Chair and board member, and for his work towards a
fairer, balanced and independent Charity Commission.
The Annual Public Meeting was held at Kings Place in London, home
of the Kings Place Music Foundation.
The next Chair of the Commission will be appointed by the
Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport
in line with public appointments guidance, with details announced
in due course.
EndsNotes to editors
- The Charity
Commission is the independent, non-ministerial
government department that registers and regulates charities in
England and Wales. Its ambition is to be an expert regulator
that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can
thrive. This ambition will help to create and sustain an
environment where charities further build public trust and
ultimately fulfil their essential role in enhancing lives and
strengthening society.
