The Ashley Foundation has changed its name to Homeless Action after its founder and his trustee son were recently disqualified.
Founder and ex-chief executive Lee Dribben and his son Ashley, who was a trustee at the Ashley Foundation, were both disqualified from holding any formal role in a charity for 15 years after an inquiry found serious misconduct and mismanagement at the charity.
The charity has not confirmed the origins of its original title but changed its name to Homeless Action on 10 March for the first time in its 26 year-history, according to Companies House records.
Findings of misconduct
The Charity Commission’s inquiry into the Ashley Foundation, published in January, found that Lee Dribben spent charity funds on luxury travel, meals and items.
Ashley, meanwhile, was reported to have received £40,000 in charitable funds for his involvement in a property sale. The Commission also concluded he had failed to address conflicts of interest at the charity.
The inquiry concluded that there had been serious misconduct and mismanagement at the charity. The regulator has banned the Dribbens from holding any role in a charity for 15 years.
It also banned David Kam, former chair of the charity, for 10 years due to his failure to provide adequate financial controls at the charity.
The Blackpool-based charity, which aims to support the homeless by finding them accommodation, was founded in 1997.
Its website is currently undergoing maintenance and is still listed under the Ashley Foundation.
