£100k Pay Request Sparks Charity Probe Into Captain Tom Foundation
The Charity Commission is zeroing in on a £100,000 salary request for the late fundraising hero’s daughter in its probe into the Captain Tom Foundation.
Set up to honour the legendary war veteran, the foundation celebrates Sir Tom Moore, who raised a staggering £39 million for NHS charities during the pandemic.
From Garden Walks to Global Fame
Sir Tom captured hearts worldwide by walking laps of his garden on a walking frame just before his 100th birthday. His unbelievable efforts triggered a tidal wave of donations during lockdown.
The watchdog launched an investigation into the foundation in March 2021, shortly after Sir Tom’s death, scrutinising its setup and finances.
Payments and Trademark Troubles Under the Microscope
Now, new concerns have come to light about payments from the charity to companies tied to Sir Tom’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, and her husband. The inquiry is probing whether the foundation maintains true independence.
The Commission is also worried about intellectual property rights issues. They’re probing how a private company linked to the family has trademarked “Captain Tom” names without the charity challenging it—potentially raking in “significant profit.”
Family Responds to Claims
The foundation said it will “cooperate closely” with investigators but noted that regulators were told upfront the IP rights would be held in a “private family trust.”
The Commission said: “The investigation has escalated due to newly identified concerns over arrangements between the charity and a company linked to the Ingram-Moore family, trustee decisions, and governance.”
“Failing to address intellectual property and trademark issues early allowed Club Nook Limited—controlled by Hannah and Colin Ingram-Moore—to trademark variations of ‘Captain Tom’ without objection from the charity.”
The Ingram-Moores hit back, stating: “Before the Captain Tom Foundation was formed on May 5, 2020, Club Nook Ltd applied for trademarks in April 2020. Neither Hannah nor Colin were trustee directors when the charity was founded.”
