Charity regulator appoints Interim Manager to Newbury Park Masjid
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-30)

The Charity Commission, the regulator of charities in England and Wales, has appointed an Interim Manager to Newbury Park Masjid (registered charity number 1118363).

The charity was placed under statutory inquiry (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/regulator-investigates-newbury-park-masjid-after-concerns-over-trustee-elections) in June 2024 to investigate concerns about trustee elections and the charity’s general governance.

The Interim Manager appointment is considered by the Commission to be the most appropriate and proportionate option to address issues within the charity during its ongoing inquiry.

The interim manager appointed, Mr Khalid Sofi of Lee Bolton Monier-Williams LLP, has specific duties to fulfil, to the exclusion of the trustees. He is tasked with:

Setting up and running a membership recruitment campaign to admit those persons that satisfy the membership criteria in the charity’s governing document, while taking steps to ensure the local community are engaged in the process.

Carrying out a comprehensive review of the charity’s governing document and taking steps to arrange for the governing document to be amended to ensure it provides the charity with a workable governing document that is easy to follow and implement.

Holding and facilitating an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in order for members to elect trustees in accordance with the provisions of the charity’s governing document.

Following the outcome and review of the AGM, inducting the new trustees into post.

The Interim Manager was appointed in early August. The Commission’s inquiry into the charity remains ongoing.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The Charity Commission (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/charity-commission) is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its ambition is to be an expert regulator that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive. This ambition will help to create and sustain an environment where charities further build public trust and ultimately fulfil their essential role in enhancing lives and strengthening society.

More information on the scope of the inquiry into Newbury Park Masjid can be found in the inquiry announcement press release: Regulator investigates Newbury Park Masjid after concerns over trustee elections - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/regulator-investigates-newbury-park-masjid-after-concerns-over-trustee-elections)

On 7 August 2025, the Inquiry exercised the Commission’s power to appoint an Interim Manager by Order under section 76(3)(g) of the Act to the exclusion of the charity’s trustees. Once they have completed the scope of their appointment, the Interim Manager will be discharged by an Order made under section 337(6) of the Act. More information about the Charity Commission’s appointment of Interim Managers can be found on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-the-charity-commission-appoints-interim-managers)

Public information about the charity is available on the Register of Charities: NEWBURY PARK MASJID - 1118363 (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4029975/charity-overview?_uk_gov_ccew_onereg_charitydetails_web_portlet_CharityDetailsPortlet_organisationNumber=4029975)

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