Charity Commission takes action against married trustees that profited from sports charity

Press release

Regulator secures settlement for misapplied charitable funds

The Commission has found two former trustees of Dream It, Believe It, Achieve It responsible for serious misconduct and/or mismanagement after they paid charitable funds to their own companies.

Matthew Dimbylow has been permanently removed as a trustee and Emma Dimbylow has signed an undertaking not to act as a trustee again. The regulator took legal action to secure the return of misapplied charitable funds. The charity has objects to promote and support the physical education of children and young people including those with disabilities. It is in the process of being wound up.

The trustees employed a commercial lottery company to run a scratch card lottery for the charity between 2011 and 2014, raising a considerable amount of money. The Commission opened an investigation in 2017, following concerns about the proportion of funds that it had spent on fundraising.

This inquiry has found that the lottery raised over £6 million yet the costs of generating this return, including via payments to the lottery organiser, amounted to £4.2 million. Of the remainder, £1 million was passed to three different companies run by the couple and from which they profited personally. Only £300k went to charitable purposes that were unconnected with the Dimbylows.

The inquiry has concluded that the two former trustees mismanaged and misapplied the charity’s funds and are responsible for serious mismanagement and/or misconduct.

The Commission issued a claim in the High Court to recover the funds misapplied by the Dimbylows to their own companies, which they settled on 12 September 2019.

The charity’s remaining trustee, who was appointed after the serious misconduct and mismanagement took place, is in the process of winding up the charity.

Amy Spiller, Head of Investigations at the Charity Commission, said:

The public expects trustees to ensure charitable funds are always carefully managed in the best interests of their charity and the cause they serve, in this case supporting children and disabled people with sport. Instead, the Dimbylows abused the trust that was placed in them as trustees.

It is right that we took action to recover misapplied charitable funds that went to the former trustees’ own companies and acted to ensure those responsible cannot become trustees again. We hope this sends a powerful message to others who may be tempted to use charity in this way.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

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.
The inquiry report can be seen here
Matthew Dimbylow was removed as a trustee of this charity on 7 March 2019. As a result, he is disqualified from acting as a charity trustee or trustee for a charity, holding an office or employment with senior management functions in any charity in England or Wales. His name has been entered upon the Commission’s register of removed trustees. Emma Dimbylow signed a voluntary undertaking to not act as a charity trustee or senior manager of any charity in England or Wales.
There were three other trustees at the charity. The inquiry found trustee A and B failed in their oversight of the charity. Trustee A resigned in 2013 and Trustee B in 2016. Trustee C was appointed after the serious mismanagement and/or misconduct took place and is winding up the charity.
The Charity Commission’s fundraising guidance for trustees can be seen here: Charity fundraising: a guide to trustee duties

Published 7 April 2022

UK Defence Ministers host Ukrainian government to plan future military aid

UK Defence Ministers hosted a Ukrainian government delegation to Salisbury Plain Training Area this week to consider their equipment requirements and options for further military support, as they continue their defence against Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion.

Minister for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin MP and Armed Forces Minister James Heappey MP were joined by Deputy Defence Minister Volodymyr Havrylov and senior Ukrainian military officers, who visited the UK on behalf of President Zelenskyy.

The UK Ministers held talks with their Ukrainian counterparts to understand the challenges they are facing on the ground to ensure military aid is targeted to their requirements and is able to integrate into existing systems.

During the visit the British Army’s 3rd Division and Royal Marines demonstrated a range of equipment and options for further military support, including defensive missile systems and protected mobility vehicles.

The Ukrainian delegation observed the Starstreak air defence system, which the UK has already provided and trained Ukrainian Armed Forces to use, so they can better defend their airspace from Russian aggression.

Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said:

Ukraine’s Armed Forces continue to put up a tenacious fight against the illegal and unprovoked invasion by Putin’s forces. We’re proud that they’re doing so with weapons provided by and through the United Kingdom.

But the Ukrainian job is far from done and the Prime Minister has directed that the UK provides even more in support of this next phase of the conflict. It was an honour to show Minister Havrylov and his generals the kit the UK hopes to provide next and to discuss some new weapons that have been trialled recently with UK forces.

Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin said:

The UK has been clear of our support for Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s invasion.

We are exploring options for future military support, including working with the UK Defence industry and our Ukrainian counterparts into the longer term to ensure the equipment supplied continues to be both effective and sustainable for their heroic armed forces.

The UK has a deep and longstanding bilateral defence relationship with Ukraine and since 2015 has trained over 22,000 personnel as part of Operation Orbital and the UK-led Maritime Training Initiative. This training has included medical skills, logistics, countering improvised explosive devices (C-IED), leadership, planning, and infantry tactics.

The support was stepped-up in 2021 with the UK and Ukraine signing a bilateral treaty, which released £1.7bn of financing in support of the Ukrainian Naval Capabilities Enhancement Programme.

Since the Russian invasion the UK has been leading efforts to coordinate international donations, hosting two donor conferences to encourage further donations and support their delivery, as well as running the International Donor Coordination Centre in Stuttgart to ensure the international community’s military aid to Ukraine is as coordinated and effective as possible.

Alisdair Gilchrist MBE: saving lives at sea

It is almost 40 years since the ship Alasdair Gilchrist was aboard sank after being hit by an anti-ship missile during the Falklands conflict.

Four decades on he brings his experience and expertise to bear at the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) by making the lives of those serving at sea safer.

As Above Water Systems Programme Manager he has pioneered work in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, autonomy in uncrewed vessels, and threat detection.

Alasdair, who has been made an MBE, said:

I survived HMS Sheffield sinking on the 4th of May 1982. It was quite personal. I lost 20 good friends and had some mental issues after that – post traumatic stress.

To come through that you need to be able to use it as a positive emotion to affect change for good. Saving sailors’ lives is what we do and I’m very proud of that.

I want to make a difference and Dstl has given me that platform to make a difference.

The People Inside: Alisdair Gilchrist

Alasdair joined the Royal Navy 45 years ago and was tasked with the most menial jobs on the ship but now he is helping shape the future of naval warfare.

He added:

I joined the Navy in 1977 as a young junior seaman operator – mainly scrubbing decks and cleaning toilets at the age of 16, but learning from the bottom up which was just a wonderful experience. They sent me around the world.

He served with the Royal Navy for 28 years. He has worked at Dstl more than 16 years and recently been involved in projects such as the uncrewed vessel MAST-13 and exercise Formidable Shield.

Alasdair – who is known as Gilly – said:

My role is predominantly looking after the science and technology advancement of the Royal Navy’s technical goals on its major warships.

The exciting thing is to see the technology go on to the ships. We just can’t sit on our laurels.

Technology is going at a pace and we just have to keep up with it – and shape it for good.

CMA appoints new Senior Director of Mergers

Press release

The CMA has appointed Sorcha O’Carroll as its new Senior Director of Mergers.

Sorcha has worked as a Director of Mergers at the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) since 2019 and replaces Joel Bamford who left in February. Her appointment follows an open recruitment process that attracted applications from a strong field of candidates.

As Senior Director of Mergers, Sorcha will be the decision-maker on complex Phase 1 merger cases, as well as overseeing the merger team’s work across both Phase 1 and 2 inquiries. Following the UK’s exit from the EU, the CMA has taken on responsibility for merger cases that were previously reserved for the European Commission, which are typically larger and more complex.

Sorcha will work alongside Colin Raftery, who is also a Senior Director in the mergers team, and report to David Stewart, Executive Director for Markets and Mergers.

David Stewart, Executive Director for Markets and Mergers at the CMA, said:

It’s a pleasure to welcome someone of Sorcha’s experience and acumen to the CMA’s senior leadership team. Everyone who works with Sorcha knows that she brings enormous strengths to our mergers work. Her analytical skill and strategic judgment will be vital in this critical role, as the CMA continues to build on its strong track record as a world-class competition authority.

On her appointment, Sorcha said:

I’m delighted to accept this role at a time when the CMA is taking on more complex merger inquiries than ever before.

Competition has an important role in delivering the best possible outcomes for people across the UK; this is especially important as the cost of living rises.

I look forward to working closely with Colin, David and the rest of the CMA’s renowned mergers team as we investigate deals to ensure that they do not undermine competition and leave people worse off.

Sorcha took up her appointment on 1 April 2022. Before joining the CMA, she worked in private practice in the UK and Canada.

This appointment was managed by a Civil Service Commissioner to ensure a fair, merit-based, and open process, in keeping with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.
The role was advertised publicly with applicants being asked to submit an application form and cover letter detailing their suitability for the role, as measured against a published role profile with a set of required skills and experience.
For media queries, please contact the press office via press@cma.gov.uk or on 020 3738 6460.

Published 7 April 2022
Last updated 7 April 2022 + show all updates

7 April 2022
First published.

Horrifying evidence of Russia’s atrocities in Ukraine: UK statement to the OSCE, 7 April 2022

Thank you, Mr Chair. I would like to thank you for Poland’s leadership as chair of our organisation in the wake of Russia’s premeditated and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. In particular, I am grateful to you for calling a Special Permanent Council on Tuesday. It gave all delegations an important opportunity to discuss the latest horrifying evidence of Russia’s atrocities in Bucha, and other towns in the Kyiv region, and to pay our respects to the victims.

On Tuesday, the UK also chaired an important discussion of the United Nations Security Council, where Council members heard directly from President Zelenskyy about the barbarity of Russian forces. His report on the torture of Ukrainian civilians by Russian forces was harrowing. He told the Council of people shot in the streets, of limbs cut off and tongues removed, and of women raped in front of their children.

Horrifyingly, more and more reports are emerging of rape and sexual violence committed by Russian forces in Ukraine. Let me be very clear – the perpetration of sexual violence in armed conflict is a war crime.

I commend the immense courage of those speaking out after experiencing sexual violence at the hands of the Russian armed forces. Earlier this week on a visit to Poland, my Foreign Minister was clear that the UK stands ready to support those affected by such violence.

Mr, Chair, I would like to pay tribute to the Ukrainian Prosecutor General for her determination and for her team’s work to prepare the necessary legal evidence to ensure accountability. The UK will do all we can to bring the perpetrators of all war crimes to justice. That is why the UK will provide military, policing and financial support to help to uncover evidence of such crimes and ultimately seek justice. On 24 March, we announced an additional £1 million of funding for the ICC to help to uncover evidence of war crimes and we are providing UK experts to support the investigation.

I would also like to pay tribute to the professionalism and bravery of journalists who are working in Ukraine to expose the truth about President Putin’s war and the barbaric treatment of civilians. The United Kingdom is a proud member of the OSCE Group of Friends on Safety of Journalists and I fully subscribe to the joint statement being delivered on behalf of that group today. Last week we also heard important testimony from Kakhovka journalist Oleg Baturin, who shared his story of being abducted and tortured by Russian forces. His captors told him that this was in revenge for his journalistic activity. Sadly, Mr Baturin’s case is far from unique, as Russia attempts to hide evidence of its crimes from the world.

On this note, I would like to address the Russian delegation. The atrocities we have seen in Bucha, in Irpin, in Borodyanka and throughout Ukraine are appalling. They will forever be a moral stain upon the Russian army. But they will forever too be a moral stain on the Russian diplomatic service, whose denial and attempted justification of crimes by the Russian armed forces enables them. Look at what is being done in your name. Look at what it is you are unsuccessfully attempting to justify.

Mr Chair, human rights are being grossly violated in areas that remain under the control of Russian forces. We continue to be deeply concerned at reports of abductions, killings, torture and forced deportation of Ukrainian civilians. We also deplore the latest round of conscription of residents of Crimea into the Russian Armed Forces – drawing them into war against their compatriots.

Mr Chair, President Putin will never be able to break the spirit of Ukraine’s people or conquer their homeland. His continued war of choice can achieve nothing but further suffering. We call on Russia in the strongest possible terms to end its attacks on civilians in all their forms, to pull back their troops from the entire territory of Ukraine and to stop this war. The United Kingdom will remain resolute in our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and unity within its internationally recognised borders.

Thank you Mr Chair, and I request that this statement be attached to the journal of the day.