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Charity Commission reviews pay complaint at mine-clearance charity Halo Trust Charity Commission reviews pay complaint at mine-clearance charity Halo Trust
(about 1 hour later)
The charities watchdog is reviewing a complaint about trustees’ pay at a mine-clearance charity amid reports the dispute led Angelina Jolie to resign from its board.The charities watchdog is reviewing a complaint about trustees’ pay at a mine-clearance charity amid reports the dispute led Angelina Jolie to resign from its board.
Jolie stepped down as a trustee of the Halo Trust in May last year because she was “uncomfortable” with two trustees effectively paying themselves more than £120,000 to conduct a governance review, according to an insider quoted in the Times.Jolie stepped down as a trustee of the Halo Trust in May last year because she was “uncomfortable” with two trustees effectively paying themselves more than £120,000 to conduct a governance review, according to an insider quoted in the Times.
The Halo Trust – once backed by Diana, Princess of Wales – said payments to Amanda Pullinger, current chairwoman of the trustees, and Simon Conway were appropriate. It is understood that Jolie then stepped down due to pursue other projects.The Halo Trust – once backed by Diana, Princess of Wales – said payments to Amanda Pullinger, current chairwoman of the trustees, and Simon Conway were appropriate. It is understood that Jolie then stepped down due to pursue other projects.
The Charity Commission confirmed it received a complaint over the payments made to Pullinger and Conway and was reviewing its decision to take no action at the behest of the complainant.The Charity Commission confirmed it received a complaint over the payments made to Pullinger and Conway and was reviewing its decision to take no action at the behest of the complainant.
The Guardian was awaiting a response on Wednesday from a publicist for Jolie, a Hollywood actor and special envoy for the UN high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR).The Guardian was awaiting a response on Wednesday from a publicist for Jolie, a Hollywood actor and special envoy for the UN high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR).
Pullinger, a former hedge fund chief, and Conway, an author, were paid £26,000 and £96,750 to conduct a review into the charity’s structural, remuneration and governance arrangements, according to accounts recently published by the charity.Pullinger, a former hedge fund chief, and Conway, an author, were paid £26,000 and £96,750 to conduct a review into the charity’s structural, remuneration and governance arrangements, according to accounts recently published by the charity.
Conway also had costs covered for accommodation close to the charity’s headquarters in Dumfries as a review of the charity’s internal structure was completed.Conway also had costs covered for accommodation close to the charity’s headquarters in Dumfries as a review of the charity’s internal structure was completed.
The review came after the resignation of Jolie and the suspension and eventual resignation of Guy Willoughby in 2014 following a “serious deterioration” in relations between him and the board. The review came after the resignation of Jolie and the suspension and eventual resignation of Guy Willoughby, the charity’s chief executive and co-founder, in 2014 following a “serious deterioration” in relations between him and the board.
It is understood Jolie, well known for her roles in Girl Interrupted, Mr and Mrs Smith and Changeling, was brought to the board by Willoughby after they spent time together in Cambodia, Scotland and California. It is understood that Jolie, well known for her roles in Girl Interrupted, Mr and Mrs Smith and Changeling, was brought to the board by Willoughby after they spent time together in Cambodia, Scotland and California.
A spokeswoman for the Halo Trust said: “The Halo Trust is a global organisation employing 6,500 people carrying out live saving work across four continents. As a charity we are always mindful of the need to spend the money that we receive wisely and this governs the decisions of our board. A spokeswoman for the Halo Trust said: “The Halo Trust is a global organisation employing 6,500 people carrying out live-saving work across four continents. As a charity we are always mindful of the need to spend the money that we receive wisely and this governs the decisions of our board.
“Recent attention has focused on our governance and payments to trustees. After a period of substantial change last year, which included the stepping down on our long standing chief executive, we conducted a governance review to strengthen our internal processes, to become even more efficient and effective, ensure that we continue to attract and retain the highest quality staff, and to allow us to build a solid foundation for future growth. “Recent attention has focused on our governance and payments to trustees. After a period of substantial change last year, which included the stepping down on our long-standing chief executive, we conducted a governance review to strengthen our internal processes, to become even more efficient and effective, ensure that we continue to attract and retain the highest quality staff, and to allow us to build a solid foundation for future growth.
“Two of the trustees were tasked with carrying out this work and running the organisation. They received payment for this, which was entirely appropriate. The payments were agreed by the board and signed off by the Charity Commission.“Two of the trustees were tasked with carrying out this work and running the organisation. They received payment for this, which was entirely appropriate. The payments were agreed by the board and signed off by the Charity Commission.
“As a charity we are lucky enough to have the backing of a number of high profile individuals including Ms Angelina Jolie. Ms Jolie decided to stand down as a trustee of Halo in May of last year, she remains a supporter of the Halo Trust and our mission to rid the world of landmines.” “As a charity we are lucky enough to have the backing of a number of high-profile individuals including Ms Angelina Jolie. Ms Jolie decided to stand down as a trustee of Halo in May of last year, she remains a supporter of the Halo Trust and our mission to rid the world of landmines.”
The trust came to prominence when the late Princess of Wales visited an Angolan minefield in 1997. It has long enjoyed royal support, with Prince Harry serving as the patron of the charity’s 25th anniversary appeal. The trust came to prominence when the late Princess of Wales visited an Angolan minefield in 1997. It has long-enjoyed royal support, with Prince Harry serving as the patron of the charity’s 25th anniversary appeal.
Other trustees include ITV news anchor Tom Bradby and Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, principal private secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as US businesswoman Cindy McCain, who is married to former US presidential candidate John McCain.Other trustees include ITV news anchor Tom Bradby and Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, principal private secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as US businesswoman Cindy McCain, who is married to former US presidential candidate John McCain.
A Charity Commission spokesman said: “The Halo Trust made payments to trustees in the financial year ending March 2015, which have been disclosed in the charity’s accounts.A Charity Commission spokesman said: “The Halo Trust made payments to trustees in the financial year ending March 2015, which have been disclosed in the charity’s accounts.
“In giving the charity permission to pay its trustees, the test the commission has to apply is whether the decision is within the range of reasonable decisions available to the trustees. We cannot interfere with a decision that the trustees of a charity have lawfully taken, even if it is an unpopular one.“In giving the charity permission to pay its trustees, the test the commission has to apply is whether the decision is within the range of reasonable decisions available to the trustees. We cannot interfere with a decision that the trustees of a charity have lawfully taken, even if it is an unpopular one.
“I can confirm that the commission has received a complaint regarding the Halo Trust. The commission carefully considered the issues raised.“I can confirm that the commission has received a complaint regarding the Halo Trust. The commission carefully considered the issues raised.
“Some of the concerns raised had already been dealt with, or were issues to do with the day-to-day administration of the charity where the commission cannot legally intervene. The commission found there was no further regulatory action it could take and advised the complainant accordingly.“Some of the concerns raised had already been dealt with, or were issues to do with the day-to-day administration of the charity where the commission cannot legally intervene. The commission found there was no further regulatory action it could take and advised the complainant accordingly.
“The complainant has requested a review of our decisions in this case and this is now under way.”“The complainant has requested a review of our decisions in this case and this is now under way.”