A second recently appointed trustee at Sentebale, the charity co-founded by Prince Harry, has resigned after being in post for a few weeks.
Nerissa Naidu, who was appointed as a trustee on 25 March, stepped down from her role on 14 April, it was revealed this week.
A spokesperson for the charity told Civil Society: “This is a particularly difficult time to have joined the organisation, given the unexpected, sustained and intrusive press and social media attention.
“We have seen as a collective society, the consequences of people’s lives being thrust into the media spotlight.
“She has chosen to step down out of respect for her other professional commitments, which we fully understand, respect and support.
“We deeply appreciate her tremendous support and insights in recent weeks and her interest in Sentebale over a long period of time. We look forward to staying in touch.”
Investigation ongoing
Naidu’s decision came after fellow recently appointed trustee Margaret Ngozi Ikpoh stepped down on 2 April.
Both of them, who were appointed on 25 March, were part of a group of four new trustees brought in by Sentebale after former trustees of the organisation resigned in protest at the chair, Sophie Chandauka.
Their resignations leave the charity with three trustees, including Chandauka.
The original group of trustees who resigned last month said their relationship with Chandauka, who joined the charity in 2023, “broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation”.
Subsequently, co-founders Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho stepped down as patrons of the charity in solidarity with the former trustees.
Meanwhile, Chandauka claimed that there were issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny and misogynoir at the charity.
The commission has since opened a regulatory compliance case into the charity to examine governance concerns.
The regulator’s investigation will determine whether Sentebale’s former and current trustees, including Chandauka, “have fulfilled their duties and responsibilities under charity law”.
Civil Society has asked the Charity Commission to comment on the latest trustee’s resignation.
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