The company of Captain Tom Moore’s daughter was paid “thousands of pounds” for her appearances at a charity award, it has been revealed.
An investigation by BBC Newsnight uncovered that Hannah Ingram-Moore received a “significant appearance fee” after she helped judge a scheme presented at the Virgin Media O2 Captain Tom Foundation Connector Award.
The money was reportedly paid to the Maytrix Group, a company owned by Ingram-Moore and her husband, in return for her four appearances at the award.
BBC Newsnight said that Ingram-Moore “didn’t formally notify nor seek appropriate approval from the [Captain Tom Foundation’s] board of trustees prior to entering the commercial arrangements”.
Civil Society has approached the Captain Tom Foundation for comment.
‘Thousands of pounds’ paid to Ingram-Moore’s company
In 2021 and 2022, Ingram-Moore helped judge a scheme at the Virgin Media O2 Captain Tom Foundation Connector Award, inspired by her late father.
The award “aims to recognise local groups and community initiatives with an injection of tech and connectivity to help them do even more great work”.
At the time, Ingram-Moore was interim chief executive officer of the Captain Tom Foundation on an annual salary of £85,000 on a three-month rolling contract for a maximum of nine months while the trustees were carrying out an open recruitment process.
According to BBC Newsnight’s investigation, the fee she received for her appearances at the award was paid directly to the Maytrix Group and not to the Captain Tom Foundation.
‘Matter subject to an internal investigation’
BBC Newsnight said that Ingram-Moore has been under investigation by the foundation for nine months, with a report expected to be published in the coming months.
A spokesperson for the charity trustees told the programme: “The Captain Tom Foundation is aware of the commercial arrangements made by Hannah Ingram-Moore with Virgin Media O2 in respect of the Virgin Media Captain Tom Foundation Connector Award.
“This matter is subject of an ongoing internal investigation. The Charity Commission has been notified of the Foundation's review of this matter and the Foundation will share its findings once the investigation has concluded.”
Virgin Media O2 confirmed the payment, but said it would be inappropriate to disclose its amount.
A Virgin Media spokesperson said: “We worked directly with the late Sir Captain Tom to recognise community groups and charities that went above and beyond during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“When payment was made, we were not aware of any concerns about Ms Ingram-Moore’s family companies or the Captain Tom Foundation that have since come to light after our campaign and relationship with Captain Tom finished.”
Inquiry into foundation ‘remains ongoing’
The Charity Commission opened a compliance case into the Captain Tom Foundation in March 2021, which escalated to a full statutory inquiry in June 2022 because of fresh concerns about arrangements between the charity and a company linked to Ingram-Moore’s family.
The Commission also has ongoing concerns about the trustees’ decision-making and governance at the charity.
On Ingram-Moore’s appearances at the Virgin Media Captain Tom Foundation Connector Award, a Commission spokesperson said: “Our inquiry into the Captain Tom Foundation remains ongoing.
“Its scope includes examining whether the trustees have adequately managed conflicts of interest, including with private companies connected to the Ingram-Moore family.”
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