Naomi Campbell wins legal fight to lift charity trustee ban

Naomi Campbell successfully challenged a five-year ban that prevented her from acting as a charity trustee in England and Wales. A tribunal determined that she had been deceived by Bianka Hellmich, a co-trustee of the Fashion for Relief charity she founded. The Charity Commission had earlier judged the charity to be poorly governed, citing inadequate financial management and a low proportion of funds directed to charitable grants.

Although the tribunal confirmed instances of serious misconduct, it held that the financial failures stemmed from Hellmich’s conduct, which was hidden from Campbell. Consequently, the ban was lifted, restoring Campbell’s eligibility to serve on charity boards.