​By not protecting staff, trustees breached their statutory obligations

Trustees behind the scandal-hit President’s Club have been slammed by the Charity Commission and Institute of Fundraising (IoF) for exposing female employees to sexism.

They were found to have breached their legal duties by failing to take measures to protect the women at the exclusive event and therefore compromised the club’s reputation as a registered charity.

The commission’s report revealed the Presidents Club, which gives donations collected from members to good causes, paid for the all female waiting staff’s “sexy” dresses.

While trustees admitted they “had not moved with the times”, the report says they “saw nothing wrong” with demanding that 130 staff wear the revealing uniforms.

In January details emerged that guests at the dinner, attended by senior business figures and politicians, fondled and sexually abused staff.

It was alleged waiting staff were told to expect and accept this behaviour.

“The trustees thought insufficiently about the welfare of the women hired to work at their charity’s event while taking careful steps to protect the privacy of the male guests attending the dinner,” said Charity Commission chief executive Helen Stephenson.

“Charities and their fundraising events should be places were all people are protected from harm, and where all people are treated with respect and care. It is clear from our findings that the trustees of the Presidents Club failed to put the proper steps in place to ensure the dinner fully met those expectations.”

Lots at a charity auction held at the dinner included a night at Soho’s Windmill strip club and plastic surgery, accompanied by the slogan: “Spice up your wife.”

Ceri Edwards, director of engagement and external affairs at the IoF, said that all fundraisers know their conduct must be respectful at all times and adhere to the Code of Fundraising Practice.

The body has published new guidance on safety and safeguarding for fundraisers following the report.

She added: “We have been very clear that there is no place for this kind of behaviour in our sector. If we see it again we must call it out.

“It’s incredibly important that fundraisers feel safe and supported in their work. This is a priority for us at the Institute of Fundraising, and today we have launched free resources on our website to support our members and the fundraising community.”

Founded 33 years ago, the President's Club dinner at London's Dorchester Hotel, has raised £18 million for children's charities. It was closed down as an event after the scandal broke.