The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into a theatre charity amid concerns over its management and governance.

The regulator first began its engagement with Fareham, Hampshire, based Titchfield Festival Theatre Limited in May 2024 after receiving a complaint about its activities.

During these talks further concerns emerged “relating to its accounting information, outstanding accounts and potential unmanaged conflicts of interest”, said the regulator.

“As a result, the Commission has escalated its engagement with the charity to a statutory inquiry,” it added.

The charity’s administration, management and governance arrangements will be looked at with a specific focus on trustees’ compliance with their accounting and reporting responsibilities.

Its financial controls and trustees’ decision making, including around managing conflicts of interest, will also be probed.

The Commission will also investigate whether there has been any unauthorised private benefit to trustees and connected parties. Their oversight of the charity’s relationships with connected organisations will also be looked at.

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