£100k Pay Request Sparks Charity Probe Into Captain Tom Foundation
A jaw-dropping £100,000 salary demand for Captain Tom’s daughter has landed the Captain Tom Foundation in hot water with the Charity Commission.
The charity, set up to honour the late war hero, came under scrutiny just a month after Sir Tom’s death. He had raised a staggering £39 million for NHS causes by walking laps in his Bedfordshire garden on his walking frame just before his 100th birthday – a feat that captured hearts worldwide.
Commission Cracks Down on Payments to Family-Linked Companies
The watchdog launched its statutory inquiry in March 2021, initially reviewing the foundation’s setup. Now, it’s zeroing in on payments made to firms tied to Hannah Ingram-Moore – Sir Tom’s daughter – and her husband’s businesses.
The concern? Whether the foundation truly operates independently from the family or if these ties have blurred the lines.
Trademark Tussle and Profits Raise Eyebrows
Adding fuel to the fire, the Commission is alarmed over intellectual property issues. Club Nook Limited, co-owned by Hannah and her husband Colin Ingram-Moore, reportedly trademarked various “Captain Tom” names without the charity’s objection. This move might have generated substantial private profits.
The foundation insists it’s fully cooperating. It also states regulators were aware early on that intellectual property rights would be held in a private family trust.
Family Defends Trademark Moves
“On behalf of our family, there are two points we would like to make,” said the Ingram-Moore family. “Before the Captain Tom Foundation was formed on May 5, 2020, Club Nook Ltd applied for trademarks in April 2020. At that time, neither Hannah nor Colin Ingram-Moore were trustees of the charity.”
The Charity Commission’s probe is now ramping up due to fresh concerns about the foundation’s governance and decision-making. The saga shines a spotlight on how legacy, money and family ties collide when charities are involved.
