Investigation: researchED no longer describing itself as a “charity”, and seemingly under the control of one person

One of the most prominent organisations in education changed its constitution to give its best-known figure ultimate control and dropped references to it being a “charity”, Education Uncovered can reveal.

ResearchED made sweeping changes to its constitution last year which seem to have altered the nature of its set-up substantially, including allowing for the first time its directors to “benefit” from its “property and funds,” analysis by this website of documents filed at Companies House reveals.

The changes seem to have formally moved the organisation, which earlier this month hosted an annual conference attended by a reported 1,500 people, to being ultimately the creature of its founder, the government’s behaviour adviser, Tom Bennett.

Although it remains a not-for-profit organisation, it is no longer listed in its governing documents as a “charity”. The trademarks of the word and logo “researchED” are owned by Anvil Education Limited, a company owned by Mr Bennett.

Mr Bennett has yet to respond to a request for comment.

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