Supermodel disqualified from her own charity for five years after watchdog investigation uncovers financial misconduct

Naomi Campbell has been barred from serving as a charity trustee for five years after an investigation revealed she misused funds from her poverty relief charity, Fashion for Relief, for personal luxuries. The UK Charity Commission inquiry found that only a small portion of the millions raised by the charity went to its intended causes, while large sums were spent on Campbell’s personal expenses, including luxury hotel stays, spa treatments, flights, personal security, and cigarettes.

Investigation reveals misuse of charity funds

The Charity Commission’s investigation discovered that over a five-year period, from 2016 to 2021, Fashion for Relief raised just under £4.8 million through high-profile fashion events. However, only £389,000 was distributed to partner charities. Much of the remaining money was spent on extravagant expenses, with little oversight or documentation. Interim managers recovered nearly £350,000, which was eventually paid to Save the Children and the Mayor’s Fund for London, organizations that had reported the charity for failing to deliver promised funds.

In a statement, the Charity Commission pointed to “serious misconduct, financial mismanagement, and poor governance” within the organization. The charity’s records were found to be in disarray, lacking proper financial controls, invoices, and receipts. The commission highlighted that Fashion for Relief had no full-time staff and relied on external advisors to handle administrative and accounting matters.

Unauthorised payments to trustees

The investigation also uncovered unauthorized payments made to fellow trustees. Bianka Hellmich, one of Naomi Campbell’s associates, received £290,000 in consultancy fees and an additional £26,000 annually for travel expenses. Hellmich has been disqualified from being a charity trustee for nine years. Another trustee, Veronica Chou, was banned for four years.

Fashion for Relief defended itself, claiming it was not solely a fundraising organization but a platform that encouraged donors to give directly to partner charities through its star-studded fashion shows. However, the commission found discrepancies, including a €450,000 donation to Save the Children that was delayed for years and only paid in full by interim managers in January 2023.

The findings have cast a shadow over Naomi Campbell’s philanthropic efforts, leaving her barred from charity involvement in the UK until 2029.