Alumni Team Members, Damien and Cassandra had a very productive meeting with Sarah Olney MP last Thursday. We discussed the Penningtons reply from CTCF and provided all evidence we possess to both disprove their argument of independence and show an active attempt on the part of AIFS/CTCF to cause the University's current financial situation following Richmond's refusing to sign a commercial agreement with AIFS.
Sarah is now writing to the Charity Commission to accelerate their investigation into CTCF's conflicts of interests, the clear evidence of AIFS manipulating UK charity law via using CTCF as a shell through interlocked boards and the improper actions of multiple CTCF Trustees acting on behalf of the commercial interests of AIFS through their CTCF roles, as opposed to fulfilling CTCFs charter and Sir Cyril Taylor's clear wishes towards Richmond. She is also writing in support of Richmond to the UK Office for Students (OfS).
We remain confident the Charity Commission will, upon viewing all evidence and witnesses provided, remove this conflict of interest between CTCF and AIFS via complete removal of the current CTCF board and their replacement by independent trustees appointed directly by the Charity Commission. This will allow Richmond to facilitate partnerships for the benefit of the entire Richmond community, alumni, current and future students alike without the intrusion.
We once again urge AIFS/CTCF to act now in good faith before regulatory action is taken. Any ruling by the Charity Commission will open individual CTCF Trustees up to personal legal action via any affected parties. We urge them to consider our proposal to -
A) release a multi-year infusion of working capital to satisfy OfS guidelines
and
B) directly donate the Queens Road and Kensington Campuses to Richmond, as a one-off severance transfer, in place of further CTCF charitable grants.
This should more than fulfill Richmond's place as the primary beneficiary of CTCF and allow AIFS/CTCF to go on with their divergent objectives.
Phil Deans, the acting President and Vice-Chancellor of Richmond has also met with Sarah Olney and is on the same page as the alumni community in regard to how we must secure the long term future of the University. As ever we remain committed to working with him, the Board and any partnership prospects to facilitate this.
The complex web of demonstrating control and the lack of independence - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2716468875113250&set=pcb.1466039160240415&type=3&theater&ifg=1
Example of lack of independence by a UK Charity - CTCF Trustees (9 with direct AIFS Financial Affiliation) - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2716468835113254&set=pcb.1466039160240415&type=3&theater&ifg=1