Role, aim and powers
The Official Custodian for Charities (the Official Custodian or OCC) acts as a trustee for charities in respect of any charity land or other property vested in the OCC by an Order of the Court or the Charity Commission.
The primary aim of the OCC in respect of charity property entrusted for a charity’s protection, is to safeguard that property until authorised to arrange its transfer to the managing trustees or their appointed representatives. The responsibility for managing charity property held in the name of the OCC normally remains wholly with the managing trustees of the charity in question and the OCC must not exercise any powers of management.
Charities may also choose to register their land in the title of the OCC by applying to the Land Registry. Once charity land is vested in this way, there is no need for new deeds to be executed each time the trustees of the charity change. The OCC must not take part in the management of land vested; this normally remains the duty and responsibility of the charity trustees themselves.
Present officer
The designated officer appointed by the Charity Commission to be the Official Custodian for Charities is Sharon Martin, Head of Finance. Sharon was appointed by the Board on 1 November 2010.
See also: