Charity Commission investigates air ambulance charity
The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into Stoke Air Ambulance CIO over concerns relating to the charity’s activities and administration.
The charity is based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and has charitable purposes to provide equipment and services for air ambulances in the UK.
During its regulatory engagement, the Commission was informed that the charity sought to establish a specific air ambulance service to serve the city of Stoke-on-Trent.
The regulator began engaging with Stoke Air Ambulance CIO in November 2025, to assess concerns relating to its internal governance, management and administration after concerns were raised by the public.
These concerns were focused on the level of expenditure on fundraising and staff, the level of direct charitable delivery, concerns around the management of conflicts of interest at the charity, and payments to a company connected to a trustee.
During this engagement, the Commission has also identified concerns regarding the charity’s strategic planning and whether its goal of obtaining and operating an air ambulance service is viable.
Additionally, the charity has been the subject of an investigation by the Fundraising Regulator, who have found that the charity has repeatedly breached its code of practice. These findings are detailed in a report published today (Wednesday 4th February 2025).
As a result of these concerns, the Commission has escalated its engagement with the charity to a statutory inquiry.
This will examine the extent to which the trustees are complying with their legal duties in respect to the administration, governance and management of the charity, and in particular:
- the management of potential conflicts of interest and the extent to which there has been any private benefit to the trustees or connected individuals
- the proportion of the charity’s income applied for exclusively charitable purposes
- the charity’s fundraising arrangements
- the charity’s ability to further its charitable objects including its business and strategic planning.
The Commission may extend the scope of the inquiry if additional regulatory issues emerge.
ENDS
Notes to editors
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The 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. Find out more: About us - The Charity Commission - GOV.UK
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On 6 January 2026 the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into the Charity under section 46 of the Charities Act 2011 as a result of its regulatory concerns that there is or has been misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration of the Charity.
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A statutory inquiry is a legal power enabling the Commission to formally investigate matters of regulatory concern within a charity and to use protective powers for the benefit of the charity and its beneficiaries, assets, or reputation.
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About the Fundraising Regulator
- The Fundraising Regulator is the independent regulator of charitable fundraising in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulator also has a lead role where charities primarily registered in these three countries fundraise in Scotland.
- The Fundraising Regulator is funded through a voluntary levy on charities spending £100,000 or more each year on fundraising. Other charities outside the levy can register with the regulator by paying an administrative charge of £60 a year. The regulator also receives income from registering commercial fundraising businesses.
- The Fundraising Regulator was established following the 2015 Cross- Party Parliamentary Review of Fundraising chaired by Sir Stuart Etherington and assumed responsibility for regulating fundraising from 7 July 2016.
- For further information, please contact the Fundraising Regulator press team on FR@pagefield.co.uk or on 020 3327 4115.