BAFTA Trustees Face Charity Law Breach Over Free Tickets — SkimNews
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- BAFTA allowed trustees to receive complimentary premium tickets to its Film Awards, some valued at up to £2,000, as part of a long-standing guest policy discontinued in 2025
- Michael Pritchett raised legal concerns at BAFTA’s annual general meeting, citing advice that trustees may have violated the Charities Act and Companies Act by not disclosing the benefits
- BAFTA’s 2024 and 2025 accounts stated trustees received no remuneration or benefits, despite the complimentary ticket arrangement, raising questions about financial transparency
- Sara Putt acknowledged the organization has taken steps to address concerns, noting BAFTA’s legal advisers have a fuller picture than Pritchett’s external review
- BAFTA launched an independent review into the historic guest ticket arrangement after ending the 'plus one' policy in 2025, following governance committee recommendations
Why it matters: If trustees benefited from unreported perks worth thousands of pounds over years, BAFTA could owe back taxes and insurance contributions, undermining its charity status and governance credibility. The discrepancy between public filings and actual benefits creates legal exposure and erodes member trust.
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