Supermodel Naomi Campbell appeared before a central London tribunal on Tuesday, claiming she was “deceived” in connection with the financial mismanagement of her charity, Fashion For Relief. The 56-year-old is seeking to overturn a five-year ban from acting as a charity trustee, which was imposed by the Charity Commission in 2024 following an investigation into serious fund mismanagement.
The Charity Commission, which regulates charities in England and Wales, found that charity funds had been used for personal expenses, including a stay at a five-star hotel in Cannes, France, spa treatments, cigarettes, and room service for Campbell. She was one of three trustees disqualified, with Bianka Hellmich receiving a nine-year ban and Veronica Chou a four-year ban.
During her evidence, Campbell asserted that her “only mistake” was placing trust in Bianka Hellmich, who she alleges forged her signature and made false claims about her qualifications as a charity lawyer. Campbell told the tribunal, “I did not do a check on Bianca [Hellmich] – when I’m introduced to a lawyer, I assume they are acting within the law.” She rejected suggestions that she should have conducted further checks, stating Hellmich “came across as a lawyer” and held “official positions.”
Campbell’s legal team previously informed the tribunal that Hellmich appeared to have received in excess of £500,000 from charity funds between 2016 and 2021. Andrew Westwood KC, representing Campbell, stated in written submissions that Hellmich “held herself out as a lawyer with the expertise to handle the charity’s legal, regulatory and financial functions and advised Ms Campbell that she could properly confine herself to a limited role assisting with the charity’s fundraising efforts and strategy – in effect, acting as a figurehead.” He added that Hellmich “carried out a long-term and consistent scheme of mismanagement and deception.”
However, Faisel Sadiq, representing the Charity Commission, argued in his written submissions that it was “not legally open” to Campbell to “abdicate” her responsibilities as a trustee and merely act as a figurehead. Campbell countered this, saying, “I trusted the wrong person, what more do you want?” She also questioned the Charity Commission’s own due diligence on Hellmich, stating, “I’m one person, I don’t have a management team, the Charity Commission is a government body, did you do your due diligence? No.”
The proceedings saw some tense exchanges, with Judge Joe Neville intervening during cross-examination by Mr Sadiq. Campbell stated, “I’m here because I have been deceived, you are here because you have been deceived, so let’s both be respectful to each other.” Judge Neville later cautioned Mr Sadiq for being “unnecessarily challenging.” Campbell clarified that Fashion For Relief was established in the US in 2005 and “did not have a problem” before becoming a registered charity in the UK. She rejected the suggestion that her charity work was for “the PR,” stating, “I’m already famous enough.”
Source: Central London tribunal hearing