Orlando Fraser has been confirmed as the next chair of the Charity Commission, despite criticism from the committee of MPs who carried out the parliamentary scrutiny.
Last week the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee rejected Fraser’s candidacy on the basis that they had concerns about the way the process was conducted, but not him as an individual.
At 5pm last Friday (1 April), the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced that Fraser has been confirmed in the role. His start date will be 25 April.
He has been appointed for a three-year term. The role is for two and a half days per week, remunerated at £62,500 per annum.
The government announcement makes no reference to the DCMS Committee’s criticism.
NCVO: 'Government must look again at the process'
Alex Farrow, head of networks and influencing at NCVO, said: “This will be the second chair of the Charity Commission in a row not to receive the explicit backing of parliament. This is disappointing. The government must look again at this process and work to ensure that future chairs have the backing of parliament.
“We share many of the concerns noted by the DCMS committee about the process for appointing a new Chair and regret that the process was not re-run.
“However, we are pleased that Orlando Fraser has made strong commitments to the independence of the Commission, and regulatory involvement being based only on charity law, not on political pressure.
“We have strong working relationships with the Charity Commission team and leadership. We look forward to working with them and Orlando Fraser to build an even stronger sector that can respond to the challenges facing communities.”
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