The Charity Commission has appointed interim managers to the north London-based charity College Farm Trust.
The decision came after the commission opened a statutory inquiry into the charity in August 2024 with regards to its trustee decision-making.
The two appointed interim managers, Frances Coulson and Robert Paterson of Wedlake Bell LLP, will be in charge of the charity’s property and assets, recruiting members and scheduling the annual general meeting where trustees will be elected.
The commission’s investigation of the charity is still ongoing.
Current inquiry
The commission’s inquiry is looking into the governance and management of the charity as well as any potential misconduct or mismanagement.
It is also investigating whether its trustees are complying with their legal duties, any unauthorised trustee benefit or any risk to the charity property.
The charity, registered in 1999 to manage and conserve the farm for the public benefit, used to be a popular local attraction from 1980 until 2001, when it was shut down because of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
The farm facilities, which are on Historic England’s at-risk register, are unsafe for public use and in need of repair, according to the Barnet Society, an organisation that campaigns for the environment of Barnet and surrounding areas and for the protection of the Green Belt.
Civil Society has contacted the charity’s chair Neil McAuliffe for comment.
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