Thames Valley Police have charged a man in connection with a fatal road traffic incident involving an arts charity founder.

Tim Joss, who founded and was chief executive of Aesop Arts & Society, died two years ago at the scene of the incident in Oxfordshire.

The 68-year-old charity leader from Brize Norton had been riding his bike when he collided with a car.

Police have confirmed that “Kieren Kilminster, aged 22, of Wavell Way, Winchester, has been charged by postal requisition with causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving following” the incident.

They added: “Tragically, 68-year-old Tim Joss, from Brize Norton, died at the scene. Our thoughts remain with his family, who continue to be supported by specially trained officers.”

Kilminster will appear at Oxford Magistrates Court in High Wycombe on 7 July.

Charity to be wound up

Oxfordshire based Aesop was founded by Joss in 2014, however its latest trustees' report filed with the Charity Commission, for the year ending March 2025, details that it plans to close this year.

This states that following Tim Joss's death the charity's directors used the 2024/25 year "as a period of succession, stabilisation and recovery whilst envisioning a future for Aesop in the absence of Tim’s founding vision".

But "after careful consideration, the Trustees have taken the difficult decision to wind up the charity in the first half of 2026".

The arts charity that focuses on improving people's health ended its programmes in March this year with the final administrative and legal winding up set to be completed by next month.

"We are in discussion with our major funders, delivery partners and other stakeholders about making our assets and resources available to practitioners, organisations, and charities working across arts, culture, and health sectors, enabling them to further develop and disseminate the programme for broader benefit and impact," adds the report.

"Winding up is a strategic choice, not a sign of failure. It reflects the organisation’s commitment to public benefit: rather than continuing unsustainably or compromising on delivery quality, we are focusing on knowledge-sharing and enabling others to build on our legacy.

"Many organisations avoid difficult decisions until circumstances force them, Aesop has
chosen transparency, stewardship, and a proactive approach to change.

"The Board believes this approach offers the most effective means of continuing its impact in the field of creative health and securing a meaningful legacy that honours the founding vision of Tim Joss, the charity’s founder."

The charity's financial records show its income plummeted following Tim Joss's death, from £698,260 in the 12 months to March 2024 to £430,680 the following year.

Joss was also a former vice chair of Arts Council England’s Advisory Group and a Steering Committee Member for the Royal Society for Public Health’s Arts, Health and Wellbeing Special Interest Group.

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