A charity which was set up to “promote community participation in healthy recreation and sports for the benefit of the community of Derby” has had its activities restricted as a formal investigation is launched by the Charity Commission. The statutory inquiry follows concerns around the potential misuse of funds.
Quba Charity, formerly named Specialist Sports Foundation, was set up in January 2021 and its principal address, according to the trustees’ annual report filed by March 31, 2022, was Havelock Road in Luton. In the latest trustees’ report filed in August 2024, the address was Mayne Avenue in Luton.
The charity regulator for England and Wales opened an inquiry after finding connections between Quba Charity and international aid charity Quba Trust that raised regulatory concerns.
In December, in a separate inquiry, the commission found misconduct and/or mismanagement at registered charity Quba Trust, resulting in the disqualification of three trustees. As two of these trustees have also been involved with Quba Charity, the commission is concerned about the extent of their involvement and the potential influence they may exert on Quba Charity.
Through its preliminary assessment, the regulator has identified concerns about close similarities between the Quba Charity and Quba Trust’s branding, social media and website content. This includes information on Quba Charity’s website about overseas projects carrying Quba Trust’s name and logo. In the latest report filed by the Quba Trust, for the year ending January 2023, its address was Mayne Avenue, Luton.
The inquiry will seek to establish if Quba Charity has been acting outside of its purposes – which, if found, would be considered a misuse of funds and a breach of trust.
The commission has used its regulatory powers to prevent the trustees of Quba Charity from transferring charity funds or assets outside of the UK, fundraising and appealing for funds. The commission has also exercised its information-gathering powers and directed Quba Charity’s current and former trustees to answer questions and provide evidence to the inquiry.
The inquiry has been opened into Quba Charity to investigate and establish facts. It will:
- consider the conduct of the trustees and their compliance with legal duties and responsibilities
- determine if the charity’s funds have been expended solely for charitable purposes in line with its stated objects.
The commission may extend the scope of the inquiry if additional regulatory issues emerge. It is the Commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing what issues the inquiry looked at, what actions were undertaken as part of the inquiry and what the outcomes were.
In the latest trustees report filed in August 2024, under achievements and performances, the trustees have said: “Education is the cornerstone of progress, yet millions of children, particularly those from marginalized communities, remain locked out due to various barriers. For them textbooks are scarce and libraries a distant dream.
“Quba Charity works in areas where entire school systems are understaffed and underfunded, failing to provide adequate education to the children we serve. Our education programs focus on the academic success of all participants.”
Derbyshire Live has attempted to contact Quba Charity to find out what work it has been carrying out in the Derby area and is awaiting a response.