Commission appoints Interim Manager to Kantor Foundation and Kantor Charitable Foundation

The Kantor Foundation and Kantor Charitable Foundation were registered in 2017 and are grant-making trusts, applying funds to charitable causes around the world and in the UK respectively. The charities’ current trustee is a corporate entity, the Kantor Trustees, of which Dr Viatcheslav Kantor is a director.

The Commission opened statutory inquiries into the two charities in April 2022, following the sanctioning of Dr Kantor under the UK’s Russia Sanctions regime. The Commission’s position is that individuals subject to UK financial sanctions cannot discharge their duties as a trustee.

As part of its inquiries, the Commission is considering whether the charities are viable and can continue to operate, following sanctions imposed on Dr Kantor. The inquiries are also examining the conduct of the trustees and whether they have discharged their legal duties and responsibilities in their management and administration of the charities.

On 31 May 2022, Tom Murdoch and Tony Pidgeon of Stone King LLP were appointed by the Commission as Interim Manager of both charities. They will act to fulfil a number of tasks, including managing the assets and assessing the future viability of the charities. The regulator has frozen the charities’ bank accounts, but under the General Licence issued by the Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation, the Interim Manager is allowed to act as receiver and manager of the charities’ assets.

The Commission’s inquiry into the charities remain ongoing. It is the Commission’s intention to publish an inquiry report upon its conclusion.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its purpose is to ensure charity can thrive and inspire trust so that people can improve lives and strengthen society.
2. Further information about the Commission’s inquiries into these charities can be found here:
   1. Kantor Charitable Foundation
   2. Kantor Foundation
3. Section 76(3)(g) of the Charities Act 2011 gives the Commission power to appoint an interim manager to a charity to act as receiver and manager in respect of the property and affairs of the charity.
4. On 30 May 2022, OFSI issued General Licence INT/2022/1834876 under Regulation 64 of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 which allows for Interim Managers and trustees appointed by the Commission to act as receiver(s) and manager(s) in respect of the property and affairs of a charity.’
5. Interim managers are appointed where the Commission has identified misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration of a charity, or where it is necessary or desirable to protect a charity’s property. It is a protective measure.