Naomi Campbell Barred from Charity Work Amid Financial Mismanagement

The supermodel Naomi Campbell has been banned from serving as a charity trustee after a UK watchdog uncovered alarming financial mismanagement within her charity, Fashion for Relief.

“I’m extremely concerned,” Campbell, 54, told AP news agency, adding she wasn’t in control of the charity.

The Charity Commission inquiry found unauthorized payments totaling £290,000 for consultancy services were made to trustee Bianka Hellmich, breaching the charity’s constitution. Hellmich proposed repaying the funds, but Commission-appointed managers secured repayments.

Investigators recovered nearly £345,000 and protected £98,000 for charitable use. Funds were used to pay Save the Children Fund and Mayor’s Fund for London, and cover Fashion for Relief’s liabilities.

The inquiry examined Fashion for Relief’s expenses (April 2016 – July 2022) and found only 8.5% of funds raised went to charitable grants. Save the Children Fund and Mayor’s Fund for London complained about Fashion for Relief’s practices.

Fashion for Relief held fundraising events but failed to manage partnerships.

“Trustees must act in their charity’s best interests,” said Tim Hopkins. “Fashion for Relief’s trustees failed, resulting in disqualification.”

Campbell is banned from charity involvement for five years; trustees Bianka Hellmich and Veronica Chou for nine and four years. Fashion for Relief was removed from the charity register on March 15, 2024.

Representatives for Campbell have been contacted by the BBC.