Regulator launches inquiry into Blackpool homeless charity due to 'serious' concerns of 'misconduct'

The Charity Commission is looking into the Ashley Foundation after the former CEO allegedly used their personal credit card to buy luxury goods, which were reimbursed by the charity.
The Charity Commission has opened a new statutory inquiryintoBlackpool-based homelessness charity, The Ashley Foundation.The Charity Commission has opened a new statutory inquiryintoBlackpool-based homelessness charity, The Ashley Foundation.
The Charity Commission has opened a new statutory inquiryintoBlackpool-based homelessness charity, The Ashley Foundation.

The Charity Commission has opened a new statutory inquiry into Blackpool-based homelessness charity, The Ashley Foundation, over "serious financial concerns".

The regulator announced today (April 22) it had been alerted to concerns about the former CEO, who is not named by the commission, after they allegedly used their personal credit card to buy luxury goods, which were reimbursed by the charity.

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The commission said the purchases did not appear to be linked to the day-to-day activities of the charity so investigators would examine whether the transactions were “reasonable and in the charity’s best interests".

The Commission also said it was aware that properties belonging to the charity were sold to a third party and then re-sold on the same day for a significantly higher value.

A spokesperson for the Charity Commission said "Due to its serious concern that there may have been mismanagement and/or misconduct within the charity, the regulator opened a statutory inquiry into The Ashley Foundation on March 20, 2020."

The investigation will examine the administration, governance and management of the charity, and in particular:

- the financial management and controls of the charity

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- the trustees’ decision-making with regard to the disposal of properties and agreements entered into with a third party;

- trustees’ management of conflicts of interest;

- any unauthorised trustee private benefit;

- any potential financial loss to the charity;

- and the trustees’ compliance with their legal duties.