FIRSTSITE bosses are set to make changes to how the gallery spends money in light of an investigation into a rogue £91,000 payment.

A probe was launched after a number of questions were asked when it emerged the payment was made to Friary West Ltd, a company which listed two Firstsite trustees as two of its three directors.

Both Dr Noorzaman Rashid, Chair of Firstsite’s Board of Trustees, and Robert Surman, a Trustee, resigned their gallery positions in March amid ongoing questions.

They remain directors of the Maldon-based Friary West, which the Standard has attempted to contact many times since March but has received no response.

The results of the investigation carried out by accountancy firm Mazars were published yesterday.

The exact wording of the probe has not been made public but it found both men declared their interests and received no financial reward for the work.

Those points, however, will still be referred to the Charity Commission for its comment. The report also makes recommendations about how the gallery’s procurement policies and practices could be improved.

It states Firstsite should:

Review its existing procurement policy and define the specific criteria for selecting suppliers

Provide staff and trustees with training so they understand the procurement policy adopted by Firstsite and can apply it correctly

A Firstsite spokesman said: “Firstsite’s Board has accepted the findings and recommendations of the investigation by Mazars and is actively reviewing the operation of its procurement policy in light of this to ensure it is effective, supported by robust procurement procedures and with appropriate collective decision-making for high-value contracts.

“Firstsite recognises the importance of accountability when spending and managing public and charitable money, and wants to ensure this is at the centre of our procurement policy.

“Firstsite is aware of the key role that trustees play in the successful operation of the charity and is developing a training programme for all trustees to ensure that they are aware of not only the internal policies and procedures in place at Firstsite but also their wider duties and responsibilities as a charity trustee.’

“Mazars’ findings and recommendations have been forwarded to the Charity Commission for comment and determination as to whether they intend to take any further action regarding the engagement of Friary West Limited by Firstsite.”

Dr Rashid was appointed trustee chair on July 15, 2015, and became a Friary West director on January 28, 2016.

Mr Surman became a trustee in September 2015 and became a director of Friary West Limited in January 2016.

A report summarising the investigation has been produced by Mazars, who have advised Firstsite that the report is confidential and prepared solely for Firstsite.