Former Captain Tom Foundation Chief Executive Jack Gilbert has revealed shocking details about the charity’s operations, expressing concern about questionable practices and potential self-interest by Captain Sir Tom Moore’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore.
Captain Sir Tom, a World War Two veteran, became famous in 2020 for raising millions for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden during the pandemic. After his death in February 2021, the Charity Commission launched an investigation into the foundation.
Gilbert, an experienced charity professional, was appointed as CEO and ran the organization for five months before it was mothballed due to the investigation. In his first interview, he described being “gobsmacked” by the charity’s management, noting numerous systems that did not align with best practices.
The Charity Commission’s report uncovered a “pattern of behaviour” where the Ingram-Moores personally benefited from their association with the foundation. Key findings include:
1. A £1.4m book deal was paid to a family company instead of the foundation, despite marketing materials suggesting the proceeds would support the charity.
2. Hannah Ingram-Moore was paid £18,000 for an appearance at the Virgin Media O2 Captain Tom Foundation Connector Awards. She claimed it was a personal appearance, but the commission found no evidence to support this, and the charity received only £2,000.
Gilbert considered these practices “deeply unethical” and became suspicious, reporting his findings to the charity’s chair. He believed there was a “level of self-interest” in the foundation’s management.
The Charity Commission has called on the Ingram-Moores, who have been disqualified from being charity trustees, to make a “suitable donation” to the foundation. The couple has disputed the findings, arguing that the disclosure was a “breach of privacy” and that they paid significant fees to various professionals, with portions supporting the foundation.
Gilbert viewed the foundation as a “lost opportunity,” explaining that the original vision was to create a charity addressing ageism and helping older people connect and remain active in the community.
A spokesperson for the foundation stated they were “pleased with the Charity Commission’s unequivocal findings regarding the Ingram-Moores’ misconduct.”
The investigation highlights the importance of transparency and ethical management in charitable organizations. Gilbert’s revelations underscore the need for rigorous oversight and accountability to ensure donations are used as intended and charitable goals are genuinely pursued.
The case serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for personal interests to compromise the fundamental mission of charitable foundations, particularly those built on public goodwill and heroic narratives.
