The current Charity Commission chair Orlando Fraser has announced he is to step down as chair in April when his term ends.

Speaking at the Charity Commission’s annual public meeting, he said: “I have agreed with the new Secretary of State that I will hand on the baton to a successful at the end of my term in April next year.”

Fraser has been the chair for only one term, whilst two previous chairs William Shawcross and Suzi Leather served two three-year terms. His predecessor Baroness Stowell also only served one.

His speech, reflected on some of the work the Commission has done over the past year, and during his tenure. He noted that statutory inquiries are up, and public trust in charities was at a ten-year high.

Fraser also acknowledged that the commission new messaging on campaigning may have had a role in the election and how charities engaged in politics, and new guidance on accepting, refusing and returning donations, the trustee survey and supporting overseas aid.

Controversy

However, Fraser’s appointment was not without controversy.

When he was appointed in 2022, MPs rejected the selection of him as a candidate. Members of the DCMS committee said that the selection process had been marred by controversy and a lack of diversity.

His selection had also attracted criticism over his political affiliations, after Fraser stood for the Conservative Party in the 2005 general election.

Fraser’s successor will be appointed by the current Labour government, and as part of the process members of the DCMS Committee will scrutinise the selection of the government’s preferred candidate.

But, the candidate can still be appointed even if the committee rejects them.

New CEO

Also speaking at the annual public meeting was David Holdsworth, the new CEO of the Charity Commission.

He acknowledged the difficulties charities were facing, including closures, funding and increasing demands as well as technological changes and attitudes from the public.

But also said there was reason for optimism. “Charities have individually, and collectively, proved consistently agile and innovative, harnessing now technologies in making deep impacts on people’s lives. There’s no reason to doubt this will continue.”

He said that the commission is working to improving the guidance for trustees, and welcomes the new government’s charity sector covenant which is currently under consultation.

To view Orlando Fraser’s speech click here

To view David Holdsworth’s speech, click here

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