Charity Commission launches FIA Foundation inquiry

The Charity Commission, which oversees charities in England and Wales, has launched a statutory inquiry into the FIA Foundation, a charity dedicated to promoting road safety, environmental protection, and sustainable mobility through various programmes and funding for motorsport safety research. The inquiry aims to safeguard the charity's property amid concerns raised regarding its governance and compliance with legal duties. In response to these concerns, the regulator has imposed an immediate temporary protective Order, which restricts the charity and its trustees from entering into specific transactions without prior written approval from the Commission.

The inquiry will focus on several key areas, including the charity’s adherence to its legal responsibilities in administration and management. Of particular interest is the examination of the relationship between the FIA Foundation and the non-charitable organisation Fédération Internationale de L’ Automobile (FIA). The Commission seeks to ascertain whether any potential conflicts of interest related to grants awarded by the charity have been adequately identified and managed. Additionally, the inquiry will investigate whether any of the charity’s assets are at risk, ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to safeguard these resources.

The inquiry's scope may expand if further regulatory issues are uncovered during the investigation. Once the inquiry concludes, it is customary for the Commission to publish a report outlining the issues examined, actions taken, and the results of the investigation. As concerns surrounding charity governance and transparency grow, the scrutiny of organisations like the FIA Foundation highlights the importance of regulatory oversight in maintaining public trust in charitable activities.