Charity Commission - Registering and Declaring Interests

Principles
Registration and Declaration
Procedures
Charity Commission Register of Board Members’ Interests
Other information

Principles

In common with other public bodies, the Commission has arrangements under which potential conflicts of interest can be recognised and managed.

On appointment, in order to preserve their complete independence on all charity matters, the Chair and Chief Executive will relinquish all trusteeships in charities.

On appointment, Members of the Commission are normally asked to stand down from Chairmanship of charities. It is normal, however, for them to retain existing trusteeships or other roles, and for those whose livelihood involves professional involvement with charities, to continue with it, provided that it is transparent and is not inconsistent with the Commission’s regulatory role.

Following appointment, Members of the Commission will seek advice from the Chair (and in the case of the Chair from the Chief Executive) before taking on any new role(s) in a charity or other body in which there might be a real or perceived conflict of interest.

Where a Member of the Commission’s circumstances involve, or might appear to involve, clear potential for a material conflict of interest in his or her official role, he or she will declare them in this register, and, where appropriate, withdraw from related Commission business and discussions.

All personal or business interests which may, or may be perceived, to influence their judgement, should be declared.

Members of the Commission will declare on the Register interests of the following kinds:

Trusteeship of a registered or unregistered charity
Within the past year:
- Any direct pecuniary benefit from a charity or related body to self or an immediate family member (spouse, partner, dependent children and any other dependent person resident in the same household); and
- Any significant and material non-pecuniary benefit from a charity or related body to self or an immediate family member
Any pecuniary or other material interest in a company or organisation which is, or is likely to become, involved in a commercial relationship with the Commission
Any matter not specified above which a reasonable third party would consider of clear and material relevance, actual or potential, to the Commission Member’s official role.

Members will also routinely register the following:

Office or employment held in related bodies (public or private) other than the Commission
Membership of any Masonic organisation
"Pecuniary interests" include both interests which arise as a charity beneficiary and those which arise from a business relationship

"Related body" includes non-charitable subsidiaries of charities, fundraising organisations and any other organisation with significant commercial, pecuniary or comparable interests involving charities.

Registration and Declaration

It would be impracticable and unnecessary to register all personal involvement of a less direct or more minor kind with charities and related bodies, given the very wide part that charities play in daily life. Members of the Commission declare interests which are relevant, but not sufficiently material to merit inclusion in the Register, as and when they come up in the course of Commission business. The criterion for declaration is whether a reasonable third party might consider that the objectivity of the views of Members of the Commission might be affected. The Chair will remind Members of the Commission at the start of a Board meeting regarding the need to declare any such interests. While declaration will in itself usually be sufficient to manage interests of this kind, the Member of the Commission will consider, in appropriate cases, whether it would be appropriate also to withdraw.

A record of interests declared in this way, and what action has been taken to manage them, will be kept by the Secretary of the Board.

Interests suitable to be managed in this way include the following:

Being a member or "friend" of a charity
Personal donations
Involvement in routine activities organised or provided by a charity where no degree of personal benefit to the Member of the Commission or a close family member is involved which requires registration.

Procedures

The Register is maintained by the Secretary of the Board and published on the Commission’s website. Each Member amends his or her entry to reflect developments as they occur and formally reviews his or her entry annually at the start of the Financial Year.

Members of the Commission are advised by the Chair on matters connected with the Register, including this guidance. The Chair is advised as necessary by the Chief Executive and Head of Governance on these matters generally, and if necessary on registration and declaration of his or her own interests.

Charity Commission Register of Board Members’ Interests

Dame Suzi Leather	Chair	Current Paid Work Board member of the National Consumer Council Board member of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service Current Trusteeships None Recent Former Paid Work Director of Assured British Meat (1997-1999) Chair of Exeter and District Community NHS Trust (1997-2001) Deputy Chair of Food Standards Agency (2000-2002) Chair of Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (2002-2006) Chair of the School Meals Review Panel (2004) Chair of the School Food Trust (2005-2006) Member of the Human Tissue Authority (2004-2006) Current Trusteeships None Former Trusteeships None Other (current) Patron of St Paul's Institute Member of the Labour Party Member of the Christian Socialist Movement Individual Member of the National Heart Forum Member of the Child Poverty Action Group Member of the Organophosphate Information Network Member of the Council, University of Exeter Member of the Advisory Board for BIOS Research Centre, LSE Member of the External Advisory Group – Glasgow Centre for Population Health Fellow (ad eundem), Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hon. Doctor of Civil Law, University of Huddersfield Hon. Fellowship of The Royal Society of Health Hon. Doctor of Law, Exeter University Currently paying school fees in the UK Other (former) Member of the Agricultural Systems Directorate Management Committee of Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (1994-1997) Chair of Quality of Life Seminary, BBSRC/NFA (1997) Expert to the Study Group on Postal Services (1995) Member of the OFWAT Customer Service Committee for the South West (1996-1998) Member of the Programme Management Committee of LINK Sustainable Livestock Production (1996-1998) NFU Crop Assurance Protocol (1996-1997) Founder Patron and Director of the Good Food Foundation (1996-2003) Community and Public Involvement Group of the Chief Medical Officer's project to strengthen the Public Health Function (1997) Former Chair of St Sidwells Centre (2001- 2003) Elected Council Member of NHS Confederation (1998-2001) Chair of North and East Devon Health Forum (1998-2000) Observer Member of the Human Genetics Commission (2002-2006) Member of Steering Group of the UK Stem Cell Bank 2002-2006) Member of the International Advisory Board of the 6th EU Framework Programme for Research and Technology Participatory, Governance and Institutional Innovation Project (PAGANINI), University of Vienna (2004-2006)
Simon Jones	Member of the Commission	Current paid work Chair of Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust Occasional consultancy for and on behalf of third sector organisations Occasional presenter for BBC Radio Wales Recent Former paid work Chief Executive of the Wales Co-operative Centre (1994 – 2004) Current Trusteeships Chair of Trustees of Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust Charitable Funds Trustee of the NHS Confederation Board member of RCT Homes Member of Cardiff University Council Other Spouse is Deputy Chief Executive of the Wales Co-operative Centre Member of the Labour party and GMC member of Cardiff West CLP
Sharmila Nebhrajani	Member of the Commission	Current Paid Work Chief operating officer and Finance Director, BBC Future Media and Technology Recent Former Paid Work Head of Corporate Planning, BBC (1997 – 1999) Senior Strategy Adviser (1996 – 1997) Assistant Director, Media Corporate Finance Group, Price Waterhouse (1995-1996) Strategic Planning Manager, Cable & Wireless plc (1993 – 1995) Senior Consultant, Strategy and Marketing Group, Coopers & Lybrand (1988 – 1993) Other Member of Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority Member, Human Tissue Authority Member Olympic Lottery Distributor Yale World Fellow (in receipt f academic stipend (August – December 2007) Fellow, Royal Society of Arts Member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales
Andrew Purkis	Member of the Commission	Current Paid Work Chief Executive of the Tropical Health and Education Trust since October 2005 Recent Former Paid Work Within the last year, consultancy work for the Youth Hostels Association of England and Wales as independent Leader of its Governance Review I have previously been employed by the NCVO (1980-1987), the Council for the Protection of Rural England (1987-1992), the Archbishop of Canterbury (1992-1998) and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund (1998-2005) Current Trusteeships Empty Homes Agency (Chair and Trustee since 2004. I have set in train a process for selecting and handing over to a new Chair and shall then cease to be a Trustee.) Living Streets (Chair and Trustee since 1999. Chair already relinquished. Trusteeship to be relinquished formally in October 2007) Member of Parochial Church Council of St Michael’s Church, Battersea (Church of England) since 2006 and of its fundraising committee Former trusteeships Contact a Family (1986-1993) Green Alliance (1992-2004 - includes spell as Chair) Other My wife is Chair of the Wandsworth-based Disability and Social Care Advice Service, and a Trustee of the South London Relief in Sickness Fund and of the Kate Wade Environmental Studies Fund My daughter is currently an employee of Lambeth Voluntary Service Council, and has undertaken paid and unpaid work for the Strangers into Citizens campaign run by London Citizens
Theo Sowa	Member of the Commission	Current Work Independent Consultant and Advisor, working with a range of international organisations, foundations and individuals including (in past year): UNICEF (NY HQ); African Feminist Forum; Third Sector European Network; Allavida; Gaia Foundation; Stephen Lewis Foundation, Community Service Volunteers. Recent Former Paid Work Junction Project -Save the Children UK (1981-1985) Youth Offending Team - NACRO (1985 – 1987) Reporter/Presenter - Thames TV, BBC, Channel Four (1987 – 1990) Independent Consultant for a variety of international agencies, organisations and individuals (1991 – present) United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) (1995-96; 2000) Current Trusteeships Children's Investment Fund Foundation (board member) Comic Relief (International Grants Committee member) Every Child a Reader (Advisory Board member) Every Child A Chance (formal name and registration pending) Evidence for Development (Patron) Refugee Council (Chair's Advisory group) Former Trusteeships Conciliation Resources (board member) The Rainer Foundation (board member) National Youth Agency (former DFE appointed board member) Other Former member of the Labour party Stephen Lewis Foundation (Africa Advisory Group)
Simon Wethered	Member of the Commission	Current Paid Work Part time consultant to the Charity Group at Charles Russell LLP Current Trusteeships The Leche Trust (1997-) The St Martin-in-the-Fields Christmas Appeal Fund (Chairman since 1999) Wormwood Scrubs Branch Chairman of the National Association of Official Prison Visitors (1986-) Former trusteeships Marie Curie Cancer Care (2001 -) The Connection at St Martin in the Fields (2000-) HSBC Common Fund for Income/HSBC Common Fund for Growth (2003-) Isleworth Festival Other Member of Council, The City and Guilds of London Institute (2006-) Member of the Charity Law Association
John Williams	Member of the Commission	Current Paid Work Senior advisor to Fishburn Hedges, a corporate communications consultancy. Recent Former Paid Work Co-founder, managing director and chairman, Fishburn Hedges corporate communications (1991-2001). This involved some consultancy work with the voluntary sector Current Trusteeships Business in the Community (2002- ) Centre for Tomorrow's Company (2003-), Chairman since July 2004 Former trusteeships Family Welfare Association (2001-4) Childline (2001-2006) Deputy Chair Other Chairman of Richmond Theatre Productions (2006- ) (private company, investor but unremunerated) Fellow, Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce Member Guide Dogs for the Blind 75th anniversary review board (2005-7) Spouse is a former trustee of Barnet Bereavement Project; previously on two school parents' fundraising committees; and a voluntary-aided school governors' capital appeal fund; also a former trainee and volunteer with Chiswick CAB which is part of the charity Hounslow Citizens’ Advice Bureau, and with Hammersmith & Fulham CAB.
John Wood	Member of the Commission	Current Work Part time consultant to Herbert Smith LLP. Recent Former Paid Work Partner, Herbert Smith (1982 - 2007) Current Trusteeships Jungels-Winkler Charitable Foundation (1998 - ) Friends of the Senate House Library, University of London, Treasurer (2006 - ) Former Trusteeships Weinstock Fund (1998 - 2000) Other Author's contract with Oxford University Press Member of the Executive Committee of the Trust Law Committee (King's College, London) Member of the Charity Law Association Member of the Society of Trust and Estates Practioners Committee Member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists Currently paying school fees in the UK
Tess Woodcraft	Member of the Commission	Current Paid Work Director, Centre for Strategy and Communication Ltd (1996 onwards). The Centre works with public and voluntary sector organisations. Recent Former Paid Work Head of Communications, Islington Council (1994-96) Chief Executive, Kids Clubs Network (1989-94) Former Trusteeships New Ways to Work (2000-2003) National Children’s Bureau (1991-93) Womankind Worldwide (1994-96)
Andrew Hind	Chief Executive	Recent Former Paid Work Director of Finance and Deputy Chief Executive, ActionAid (1986-1991) Director of Finance and Corporate Services, Barnardo’s (1992-1995) Chief Operating Officer, BBC World Service (1995-2004) Current Trusteeships None Former Trusteeships Voluntary Service Overseas (1995-1998) UK Committee for UNICEF (1995-2002, and also Hon. Treasurer) Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund (1999-2004, also Hon. Treasurer) BBC World Service Trust (1999-2004) Has also served as a trustee for a number of smaller charities: Mariners, 2nd Barnet Scout Group, Denis Bland Environmental Centre Other Chair, Public Sector Advisory Board, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (from 2007) Member of Commission on the Future of Volunteering (from 2006) Member of Audit Committee for the Commonwealth Secretariat (2004-2006) Co-founder of Charity Finance Directors’ Group (1988) and Chair (1992-1994) Board member of International Fundraising Group, a non-profit organisation (1996-1999) Member, Charity Finance Charity Awards judges panel (2000-2004), Chair (2003-2004) NCVO Quality Standards Task Group, Working Party Chair (1998-2001) Author of The Governance and Management of Charities (1995), sponsored by BDO Stoy Hayward and BZW Investment Management Spouse is employed as a Support Worker / Training co-ordinator on a part-time basis with Middlesex Association for the Blind, a registered charity Observer member of Acevo Commission of Inquiry: Chief Executives on Governance, 2007
Nick Allaway	Executive Director, Charity Information and Corporate Services	Recent Former Paid Work Director of Finance and Corporate Services at Big Lottery Fund (formerly New Opportunities Fund) Current Trusteeships Trustee and Treasurer for Friends of Hornsey Church Tower
Rosie Chapman	Executive Director, Policy and Effectiveness	Recent Former Paid Work New Islington & Hackney HA (1991 – 1995) Former Trusteeships Hackney Women’s Aid, Treasurer (1992-2003) Other Partner employed by Metropolitan Housing Trust Board member of Homes for Haringey (which manages homes on behalf of Haringey Council). (From April 2006) Member of the University of Liverpool Law School's Advisory Board
Kenneth Dibble	Executive Director, Legal and Charity Services	None
David Locke	Executive Director, Charity Services	Recent Former Paid Work Mary Ward Legal Centre (1991-2002) Islington Law Centre (2001-2002) Former Trusteeships Immunity (1992-1997) Other Partner employed by NCH

Other information

Educational background and interests

Dame Suzi Leather	Chair	Educated in both the independent and state sectors Currently paying school fees in the UK
Simon Jones	Member of the Commission	Educated in the state sector Not paying any school fees in the UK
Sharmila Nebhrajani	Member of the Commission	Educated in the independent sector Not paying any school fees in the UK
Dr Andrew Purkis	Member of the Commission	Educated in the independent sector Not paying any school fees in the UK
Theo Sowa	Member of the Commission	Educated in the independent sector Not paying any school fees in the UK
Simon Wethered	Member of the Commission	Educated in the independent sector Not paying any school fees in the UK
John Wood	Member of the Commission	Educated in the independent sector Currently paying school fees in the UK
John Williams	Member of the Commission	Educated in the independent sector Not paying any school fees in the UK
Tess Woodcraft	Member of the Commission	Educated in the state sector Not paying any school fees in the UK
Andrew Hind	Chief Executive	Educated at a direct grant grammar school Not paying any school fees in the UK
Nick Allaway	Executive Director, Charity Information and Corporate Services	Educated in the state sector Not paying any school fees in the UK
Rosie Chapman	Executive Director, Policy and Effectiveness	Educated in the state sector Not paying any school fees in the UK
Kenneth Dibble	Executive Director, Legal Services and Compliance	Educated in the state sector Not paying any school fees in the UK
David Locke	Executive Director, Charity Services	Educated in the state sector Not paying any school fees in the UK

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