ShelterBox
Comments follow decision of ShelterBox Norway to cut ties with UK head office
The head of ShelterBox France has criticised the way the UK head office has handled the removal of the charity’s founder and chief executive, Tom Henderson.
John Diksa, the head of ShelterBox France, said that many of the charity’s international affiliates were unhappy with an apparent lack of communication over Henderson’s removal.
His comments follow the decision of ShelterBox Norway to end its relationship with the UK-based ShelterBox on 22 September.
Henderson was removed from his role as chief executive by the ShelterBox Trust board in June and is currently appealing against the decision. The charity has so far failed to say why he was removed.
Henderson co-founded ShelterBox in 2000 and it now has affiliated charities in 20 locations around the world that are run autonomously.
Diksa said: "The general feeling among affiliates is that there was no communication. The fact affiliates had not been consulted at all rankles quite a lot, I think.
"We have made it clear to ShelterBox Trust that we want more documentary evidence about what has been done and what has been said to justify the action taken."
Sir John Banham resigned from the board of the ShelterBox Trust in August, saying that he disagreed with the decision to remove Henderson.
A spokeswoman for the ShelterBox Trust said that affiliated organisations had been properly consulted about Henderson’s removal. "All affiliates have been informed of the board's decision," she said. "In some cases, senior personnel and trustees have flown out to affiliates and given them a comprehensive explanation of events leading up to the former chief executive’s dismissal: this includes ShelterBox France.
"We have overwhelming support from our affiliate network. Those who have taken the opportunity to investigate and review the circumstances surrounding the situation fully understand the actions taken by the trustees and remain committed to the ShelterBox mission."
She added that the charity’s work remained unaffected by recent changes.
