The Scottish Charity Regulator OSCR has ordered an American company to stop misrepresenting itself as a charity registered in Scotland.
In a recently published inquiry report, OSCR expressed concerns about material published on the website of Nicholas James Lee Gray LLC, a limited liability corporation in the United States.
The regulator said a set of redacted accounts and copy of the James Gray Nicol Trust’s registered logo on the website would suggest that Nicholas James Lee Gray LLC is somehow linked to the registered charity or a charity itself.
“OSCR is concerned that the publication of these documents on the body’s website is misleading and implies a link to the charity when no such link exists,” its report reads.
On 24 July, the regulator directed Nicholas James Lee Gray, an entrepreneur and owner of Nicholas James Lee Gray LLC, to stop representing his company as a charity registered in Scotland.
At the time of writing, the US company’s website displays both OSCR’s and umbrella body SCVO’s logos as well as the James Gray Nicol Trust’s charity number.
OSCR said its direction is valid for six months and expires on 24 January 2026, and “can be revoked or varied” during this period if it determines it appropriate to do so.
Charity name change and integration with firm
According to OSCR’s website, the James Gray Nicol Trust was registered as a charity on 20 April 1977 and has the same address as the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Its stated objects include “the preservation, maintenance and improvement” of the Church of Scotland’s retirement homes, particularly Clashfarquhar House in Stonehaven.
Meanwhile, Nicholas James Lee Gray LLC’s stated mission is to empower people and communities, with the company providing consultancy services to individuals about their finances using expertise in community land and development.
In an email seen by Civil Society, Gray formally notified OSCR on 29 May of his intention to change the name of the charity to the Grayt Walk Of Life Tribal Trust as part of “our ongoing efforts to ensure that our organisation remains in full compliance with all applicable legal frameworks and regulations, both domestically and internationally”.
OSCR said in its response, also seen by Civil Society, that changing a charity’s name without having sought the regulator’s consent was not allowed, but that it might be allowed given further documentation.
According to Nicholas James Lee Gray LLC’s website, the company is “undergoing a strategic restructuring, aligning with the Grayt Walk Of Life Tribal Trust”.
“This restructuring process includes the formal recognition of the tribal trust and the integration of operations between the LLC and the trust,” it reads.
“As we move forward with this transition, dedicated websites for each entity will be launched, outlining their respective governing documents, articles of incorporation, and legal compliance frameworks.
“These efforts ensure that all entities operate within both domestic and international legal requirements.”
Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2023 show that the trust recorded a total income of £92,940 against total expenditure of £125,119.
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