Supermodel Naomi Campbell has claimed that “identity fraud and deception” by a former colleague were responsible for the financial misconduct that led to her being banned from running a charity.
Speaking during an appeal hearing aimed at overturning the five-year ban imposed on her, Campbell accused former co-trustee and lawyer Bianka Hellmich of forging her signature, impersonating her through a fake email account and diverting funds intended for the charity, Fashion for Relief.
Campbell told the tribunal that her “only mistake” had been placing her trust in Hellmich.
“I trusted the wrong person, what more do you want?” the 56-year-old told the court.
The appeal comes after the Charity Commission barred Campbell from serving as a charity trustee for five years in 2024 following an investigation that uncovered widespread financial mismanagement within Fashion for Relief.
Hellmich received a nine-year disqualification, while another trustee, Veronica Chou, was banned for four years.
Bianka Hellmich, pictured in 2019
The investigation found that large sums of money raised by the charity had allegedly been spent on luxury hotels, spa treatments, cigarettes and security services rather than charitable causes.
According to Campbell’s lawyer, Andrew Westwood KC, Hellmich orchestrated a long-running scheme of deception and mismanagement which was concealed from other trustees.
Campbell also alleged that Hellmich misrepresented herself as a qualified charity lawyer and admitted she had failed to carry out proper background checks because Hellmich appeared credible and had previously held official positions.
During the hearing, Campbell argued that even the Charity Commission had been misled.
“You trusted her too,” she said, referring to the regulator. “Because you were in communication with her until we let you know that you were deceived.”
Her legal team argued that Hellmich had advised Campbell that she could take a limited role within the organisation, effectively acting as a figurehead while Hellmich managed the financial and regulatory responsibilities.
However, lawyers representing the Charity Commission argued that Campbell could not simply hand over her responsibilities and remain uninvolved.
The tribunal was told that allegations involving forgery and fraud have now been reported to police by both Campbell’s legal team and the Charity Commission.
The Commission later clarified that the report concerned allegations of fraud and false information provided during the investigation and that no specific individual had been formally named.
Hellmich has previously denied all allegations, telling media outlets there was “absolutely no truth” to the claims against her.
Fashion for Relief was founded to bring together the fashion industry in support of poverty relief, education, healthcare and humanitarian causes around the world.
Campbell told the tribunal she genuinely loved the charity’s mission and rejected suggestions that it was merely a publicity exercise.
“I’m already famous enough,” she said.
The Charity Commission launched its investigation into the organisation in 2021. It later concluded that between 2016 and 2022, only 8.5% of the money raised by the charity was actually distributed in grants.
The inquiry also found that UNICEF UK had complained after Fashion for Relief allegedly held a fundraising event claiming to support the children’s charity, but no money was ever transferred to UNICEF.
In March 2024, Fashion for Relief was dissolved and removed from the register of charities.
The appeal hearing is continuing, with Campbell seeking to clear her name and overturn the ban that has prevented her from managing charitable organisations.
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