The Charity Commission has secured significant changes to the way the RSPCA is led and governed, following intensive regulatory scrutiny over a number of years
The regulator’s involvement with the charity began in 2014, after serious concerns were identified about the charity’s governance and leadership. Among the Commission’s key concerns were frequent changes in leadership and a sustained reliance on trustees acting as interim Chief Executives. This unusual practice, which began as an interim arrangement, went on for too long, risking public confidence in an important national institution.
In August 2018, the Commission issued the charity with an Official Warning, in relation to concerns about a settlement offer to the charity’s former acting chief executive.
Despite regular meetings with staff and trustees, including a three-day visit by the regulator to the charity’s headquarters in October 2018, the Commission remained concerned about the charity’s progress in reforming its governance. Its concerns revolved around the set-up and role of the charity’s trustee body (the council), specifically:
Trustees were required to take immediate steps to rectify the situation and bring the charity’s governance, notably the operations of its council, in line with expectations for a charity of this size and complexity. Thereafter, the charity announced changes to “truly transform the Society”, including an overhaul of the charity’s governance.
Following a wide consultation on these proposals, led by a new Chair and Chief Executive, constitutional changes, which addressed but went beyond the Commission’s concerns, were adopted at the Society’s AGM in June 2019. This included reducing the size of the trustee body from 25 to 12.
The Commission subsequently monitored the implementation of these changes and is now satisfied that the charity has acted on its regulatory advice and used this as an opportunity to make significant changes to its leadership and governance.
The regulatory case concluded earlier this year, and the RSPCA’s relationship with the Commission has now moved to a regular footing. This means the charity’s structures are considered improved and able to deal with new issues should they arise. The charity made further refinements to its governance at its AGM yesterday.
Helen Earner, Director of Regulatory Services at the Charity Commission, said: