British supermodel Naomi Campbell has won an appeal against a five-year ban preventing her from serving as a charity trustee in England and Wales, following a tribunal ruling in London on October 1, 2026.
The ban was originally imposed by the Charity Commission in 2024 after an investigation into financial mismanagement at Fashion for Relief, a charity founded by Campbell to raise funds for humanitarian causes.
The tribunal ruled that although serious misconduct and financial mismanagement had occurred within the organisation, the most serious failures were attributable to fellow trustee Bianka Hellmich, whose actions had been concealed from Campbell.
The decision overturns Campbell’s disqualification but does not reverse the findings of financial mismanagement at the charity.
Founded in 2005, Fashion for Relief brought together figures from the fashion industry through fundraising events and runway shows to support humanitarian initiatives and disaster relief efforts.
The organisation was established to raise money for charitable causes, including poverty relief and assistance to people affected by emergencies.
However, an investigation by the UK Charity Commission identified significant problems with its financial management, governance and record-keeping.
The regulator found that only 8.5% of the charity’s overall expenditure went towards charitable grants during a six-year period beginning in 2016.
The investigation also identified spending on luxury accommodation, spa treatments, room service and cigarettes during Campbell’s stay at a five-star hotel in Cannes, France, in May 2018.
Additionally, approximately £290,000 in unauthorised payments was made to Hellmich, reportedly under the description of consultancy fees.
Following the investigation, Fashion for Relief was removed from the charity register and dissolved in 2024.
Campbell challenged the five-year disqualification, maintaining that she had been deceived by Hellmich and was unaware of the financial irregularities.
During the appeal proceedings, Campbell argued that Hellmich had misrepresented her professional credentials and used forged documents as part of a scheme to conceal the charity’s financial activities.
The tribunal accepted that Campbell had been deceived and concluded that the most serious financial misconduct was attributable to Hellmich.
However, the ruling also identified shortcomings in Campbell’s responsibilities as a trustee, including failures relating to financial oversight, record-keeping and the timely submission of accounts.
The tribunal determined that these administrative and governance failures did not provide sufficient grounds to maintain her five-year disqualification.
The decision therefore allows Campbell to serve as a charity trustee in England and Wales again, although Fashion for Relief itself remains dissolved.
Campbell was not the only trustee investigated in connection with Fashion for Relief.
Hellmich received a nine-year disqualification from serving as a charity trustee, while fellow trustee Veronica Chou was disqualified for four years.
The tribunal’s findings distinguished Campbell’s conduct from the financial misconduct attributed to Hellmich, while recognising that Campbell had responsibilities for the charity’s governance.
The Charity Commission said it would consider the implications of the tribunal’s decision. The case had also involved allegations of forgery and fraud that were referred to the police.
The Charity Commission’s investigation had resulted in intervention at Fashion for Relief and the recovery or redirection of funds for charitable purposes.
The regulator said its actions helped redirect nearly £250,000 to other charities.
The appeal ruling represents a change to the original decision concerning Campbell’s eligibility to serve as a trustee, rather than a finding that the charity had been properly managed.
Campbell expressed gratitude for the tribunal’s decision and reiterated her commitment to charitable work.
The case has drawn attention to the responsibilities of charity trustees, particularly regarding financial supervision, transparency and accountability.
Although Campbell has successfully overturned her disqualification, the findings surrounding Fashion for Relief remain significant to the case, which involved the management of funds intended for charitable purposes.
