World-renowned supermodel Naomi Campbell has been disqualified as a trustee of her charity, Fashion for Relief, and has been banned from holding similar trustee positions in charitable organizations for five years. This decision, published on September 26, follows a finding by the Charity Commission of England and Wales showing that funds meant for poverty relief were misused for luxurious spending.
Naomi Campbell Barred From Running Charity Over Fund Misuse Claim
The 54-year-old English fashion icon founded the poverty relief charity in 2005, hosting fashion shows to raise funds for those in need. Beneficiaries included victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, as well as vulnerable populations in London during the COVID-19 crisis. Their objectives included providing aid for people affected by natural disasters and widespread diseases.
Probes into the charity's malpractice were opened after an audit in September 2020. In March 2021, the charity's trustees were provided regulatory advice and a deadline to address organizational failings, including issues on financial control. The charity had only partially implemented the action plan by the deadline, causing the inquiry to be officially launched in September 2021.
The investigation found "low levels of charitable expenditure." Another outlet reported that from 2016-2021, Fashion for Relief had fundraised £4.8M, yet only £389,000 was released in grants to partner charities. Claims of financial misused covered expenses such as luxury hotel rooms, flights, spa treatments, personal security, and cigarettes, and hundreds of thousands of pounds of unauthorized consultancy payments were made to a co-trustee, Bianka Hellmich, who has also been disqualified from trusteeship, but for nine years.
Fashion for Relief was formally disbanded in March 2023 and was removed from the charity registry.
On the same day, Naomi Campbell received an appointment as Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters from the French Ministry of Culture. She also released a statement on the findings, which she called "deeply flawed."
“After carefully reviewing the Charity Commission’s report concerning Fashion for Relief (UK), I find their conclusions to be incomplete and misleading in their consideration of evidence. First of all, I recognize that, as the face of Fashion for Relief, I am ultimately responsible for its conduct. Unfortunately, I was not involved in the day-to-day operations of the organization and I entrusted the legal and operational management to others,” she said.
“I want to assure everyone who has supported us that these findings are being taken very seriously. I have instructed new advisers to undertake a detailed investigation of what transpired. Secondly, I have never undertaken philanthropic work for personal gain, nor will I ever do so. I’ve dedicated nearly 30 years of my life to charitable initiatives and I care deeply about the value and impact of the work I do.”
“Typically, I align my charity work with paid assignments, which cover my travel and related expenses. In cases where this is not possible, either myself or personal friends have covered the expenses. In fact, in terms of the specific hotel expense mentioned in the report, the hotel has confirmed that all charges were settled by my personal travel agent, who in turn verified that they were reimbursed directly by a third party unaffiliated with the foundation."
“Finally, we believe aspects of the report are deeply flawed. We have concerns about specific points and intend to consider all options, including requesting an appeal, to ensure that the report presents a fair and accurate representation of our operations. I remain dedicated to using my platform to uplift others through the creative arts. This experience has only strengthened my resolve to continue making a positive impact in the world. I am grateful for the unwavering support of our donors, partners and supporters. Your trust and patience during this challenging time are deeply appreciated as we work diligently to address these issues and emerge stronger in our mission to help those in need,” she concluded.
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