Acevo has attacked the reappointment of William Shawcross as chair of the Charity Commission as a  “grave concern” and questioned whether the proper processes were followed.

In a public letter to Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, published on Saturday, Acevo CEO Sir Stephen Bubb said he was concerned the appointment was made “on the quiet” and said that he wanted reassurances about the "absolute propriety" of the decision-making process.

Bubb said he was concerned that the appointment had been made “nine months early” and just “three months before a general election”.

Shawcross’s first three-year term was due to expire in October 2015 and the appointment of a new chair was expected to follow a consultation process from July.

Sir Stephen said the announcement of Shawcross’s reappointment last Thursday caused "surprise" in the sector.

“Shawcross’ initial appointment followed a period of advertisement, shortlisting and a pre-appointment hearing from May 2012,” he said. “I and many of my colleagues in the charity sector, our supporters, donors and beneficiaries are therefore surprised to learn that the appointment has been made already.

“The fact that this appointment has taken place less than three months before a general election will serve only to raise those concerns in the mind of the public. They deserve and require assurance as to the absolute propriety of the processes that have been followed to make this appointment.”

In a comment published on Acevo's website alongside the letter, Sir Stephen added: “The public will have grave concerns that... the government has sought to make this appointment on the quiet.

“The Charity Commission is an important public body. It is not the Cabinet Office’s personal fiefdom.

"This will only add fuel to the fire of those who accuse the Charity Commission of being a plaything of government patronage, rather than a forceful, independent regulator.”

In his letter to Heywood, Bubb asked for clarification about whether “due process has been followed” and if the recruitment process was “conducted in accordance with the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies”.

According to the code, reappointments can only be made once evidence of “satisfactory performance has been made”.

'Trust and confidence are fragile'

Bubb said it was in the public interest to know who sat on the committee that reselected Shawcross.

“Given the public nature of this role a committee for reappointment would have been appropriate,” he said.

He also called for clarification as to whether the committee considered other candidates and “what representations were sought from Cabinet Office’s Propriety and Ethics Team about the process”.

“Given the crucial public nature of this role, how will the process behind the appointment and the fact of the appointment itself be disseminated and communicated to the charity sector and the wider public?” asked Bubb.

“The charity sector is vital to the health and wealth of our nation. Charities must be independent and free to speak truth to power and to deliver in the public good. To do both they depend upon the trust and confidence of the public," he said. 

"Trust and confidence are fragile. While trust in charities remains high, it would be unacceptable for questions over the regulator to compromise trust and confidence in the charitable sector."

Cabinet Office: Shawcross shown 'impressive leadership'

This morning, a spokeswoman for the Cabinet Office said that Shawcross's reappointment would ensure the regulator's current "transformation process" was "effectively implemented".

“Under the impressive leadership of William Shawcross the Charity Commission is addressing longstanding weaknesses so it can effectively and proportionately regulate the charitable sector," the spokeswoman told Civil Society News. 

“The chair has led a transformation and reform programme, recently praised by the National Audit Office, to upgrade its systems and tackle fraud. In addition, new funding will help address Islamist and extremist abuse of charities.

“His reappointment - and the additional day he is working for no further remuneration - will ensure these changes are effectively implemented."

The Charity Commission declined to comment.