Charity Commission appoints interim managers at The Sikh Channel

The Charity Commission has appointed two interim managers to overlook the charity, Sikh Channel Community Broadcasting Company Limited, which runs as The Sikh Channel globally.

The regulator opened a statutory inquiry to take over the management and administration of a charity in Birmingham. It has expressed concerns about its governance and financial management.

The inquiry has continued concerns about the management and administration of the charity, and has therefore exercised its powers under the Charities Act to appoint Mr Philip Watts and Ms Sarah Tomlinson of Anthony Collins Solicitors as interim managers of the charity.

Interim managers are appointed to take over the running of a charity where the Commission has identified misconduct or mismanagement, or there is a need to protect a charity’s property.

Mr Watts and Ms Tomlinson will take on their roles to the exclusion of the trustees and will be responsible for: assessing and reviewing the trustee board; reviewing the relationship between the charity and connected companies; ensuring the charity’s property is safeguarded; reviewing any unauthorised payments to trustees and/or connected parties; reviewing the charity’s broadcasting and editorial oversight processes, and assessing the future viability of the charity.

The appointment was made on 19th March 2020 and will continue until the Commission makes a further order for its variation or discharge.

The Sikh Channel has denied wrong-doing and has stressed that it has nothing to hide.

The inquiry continues.