powerful and highly respected. The impact of failures in leadership in such charities can also have
implications for public trust and confidence beyond the charity itself.
“So they must use that power responsibly, and in a way that reflects legitimate expectations of charity.
“Save the Children UK let complainants and the public down. It must work hard now to rebuild its
reputation.”
The allegations against Mr Forsyth and Mr Cox were made between 2012 and 2015, and came to public
attention in 2018.
In May that year it also emerged the charity had failed to inform Unicef that Mr Forsyth, who became its
chief executive, had earlier been investigated over alleged sexual misconduct.
The charity temporarily suspended bids for future cash from taxpayers in the light of the scandal, as did
Oxfam, which was accused of covering up claims that staff used prostitutes while delivering aid to disaster-
stricken Haiti in 2011.
In 2015, Mr Forsyth apologised unreservedly to the three women, and when the allegations resurfaced in
February 2018, he quit his role as Unicef deputy executive director.
Mr Cox, who was Save the Children’s chief strategist in 2015, admitted that he made “mistakes” and
behaved in a way that caused some women “hurt and offence” in his time there.
He resigned from the charity in September 2015, amid the allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards
women, but at the time denied that was the reason he quit.
The commission said the charity recognised the seriousness of the complaints and it had found no evidence
of deliberate attempts to brush these under the carpet.
The charity instigated two external reviews into culture and morale, and has since taken steps to respond to
the findings.
Kevin Watkins, who took over as chief executive of SCFUK in 2016, having previously served on the board,
said: “I unreservedly apologise to the women affected by the behaviour of these two senior executives.
“The harm they suffered was compounded by a failure to respond appropriately to complaints and then by
our defensive handling of media enquiries about the cases.”
He said staff had a right to expect the highest standards of support and protection. “I’m determined to work
with them to build an organisational culture that reflects our values,” he added.
The charity said it had since strengthened reporting and whistleblowing policies that allow staff to raise
concerns anonymously and had committed itself to independently investigating any future allegations
against executives or trustees.
The Daily Mail reported that a leaked memo from Mr Watkins said that many staff were still unhappy with
the way they were treated, particularly those from minorities.
Baroness Stowell of Beeston, chairwoman of the commission, added: “This is not only about treating
complainants with the seriousness and respect they deserve, it is also about demonstrating that no one gets
a pass because they are doing important work or are motivated by the desire to help some of the most
vulnerable people around the world.”