The Charity Commission has appointed an interim manager to an education charity that is being investigated for a second time over “persistent failures” around its governance and administration.

Emma Moody of law firm Womble Bond Dickinson has been appointed as manager for the Rabia Educational Trust, which operates the Rabia Girls and Boys School in Luton.

Her role includes assessing the future viability of the charity to the exclusion of its trustees.

“The trustees of the charity continue to have all the powers and duties of trustees, with the exception of this specific function,” said the Commission.

“Depending on the outcome of this initial assessment, the interim manager’s role may vary, for example, to improve the charity’s operation or to take steps to wind up the charity.”

A second statutory enquiry into Rabia Educational Trust was opened in October last year due to concerns around its administration, governance and the trustees’ “persistent failure” to meet independent school standards.

Its previous investigation looked into the late submission of accounts, record keeping, decision making as well as governance issues. It emerged that 40% of its income was not being banked and some of its staff were being paid in cash.

Share Story: