Independent Review
The Trustees of New Wine have commissioned Fiona Scolding KC, supported by Ben Fulbrook and Alasdair Henderson to undertake an independent review into the allegations made concerning Mike Pilavachi, to explore how they relate to New Wine, and to highlight what we can learn for the future.
The Terms of Reference for the review are available below and explain what the review will cover. In summary, it will examine the relationship between the New Wine Trust and Mike Pilavachi and Soul Survivor, following the allegations made against Mike Pilavachi. The New Wine Trust review will seek to understand the degree to which the Trust was involved in providing financial and other support to Soul Survivor, including through sharing personnel and premises during that time.
This review is in addition to the ongoing review that Fiona Scolding KC is already conducting with regard to Soul Survivor and will be an addendum review to that report, building upon the learnings of that review. At the review’s conclusion, Fiona Scolding KC will produce a separate report, which New Wine will publish in full.
A Message from Fiona Scolding KC Regarding the Independent Review
The Independent Review into allegations made concerning Mike Pilavachi as they relate to New Wine was launched in March 2024. This review shall seek to bring understanding and learning from the ongoing Soul Survivor Review to examine the relationship between the New Wine Trust and Mike Pilavachi and Soul Survivor.
Throughout the Review, our priority will be to create a safe space for survivors to come forward, be heard and be cared for. We recognise the trauma that many will have experienced when sharing their experiences with the Soul Survivor Review. As this Review will form an addendum to the Soul Survivor Review, those who have already provided information to the Soul Survivor Review will not be asked to give further evidence or material, unless they wish to do so.
Submit information to the Review
We are aware that there may be other individuals who did not come forward to the Soul Survivor Review but who may wish to come forward now. If you would like to submit information to the New Wine Review, please contact newwine@landmarkchambers.co.uk.
For individuals or survivors of abuse seeking support or who have experiences related to Mike Pilavachi and Soul Survivor, or New Wine, Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, which provides a confidential space for you. Please contact them at safespaces@firstlight.org.uk for support.
Fiona Scolding KC
ABOUT FIONA
Fiona has expertise in issues relating to safeguarding, protection of children and vulnerable adults, education, healthcare, community care and equalities legislation in a variety of contexts.
Fiona has a particular interest and understanding of concerns and complaints relating to governance, standards and organisational culture, monitoring and inspection. She is interested in policy development as a tool for cultural change and improved outcomes for individuals. She is used to undertaking work with significant media and public interest on sensitive topics.
She was lead counsel to three different investigations at the Independent Inquiry for Child Sexual Abuse – relating to the Church of England and Church in Wales, schools in England and Wales and a plethora of other religious institutions.
Fiona is on the advisory board of SACPA (a safeguarding advisory group providing training and advice to organisations) and is involved in a number of initiatives relating to improving safeguarding in various organisations in the United Kingdom.
Ben Fullbrook
ABOUT BEN
Ben is a barrister at Landmark Chambers with a particular focus on public law.
Ben has significant experience of public inquiries and of safeguarding matters. He acted for four years (2018-2022) as junior counsel to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), where he focused in particular on abuse in the Church of England, Child Sexual Exploitation by Organised Networks, and Safeguarding Culture and Leadership. Ben has also recently acted for individuals involved in the UK COVID-19 Inquiry.
Ben also has considerable personal experience of governance and safeguarding issues, having been a school governor since 2019 and the Vice Chair of Trustees for a charity.
Alasdair Henderson
ABOUT ALASDAIR
Alasdair is a barrister at 1 Crown Office Row chambers, specialising in public law and human rights, employment and equality law.
Alasdair has significant experience of public inquiries and investigations, as well as expertise in safeguarding matters. He acted as junior counsel to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) for its investigations into allegations related to the UK Parliament at Westminster and Cambridge House, Knowl View and Rochdale. He has conducted reviews in respect of various sensitive matters for a range of different organisations, including local authorities and churches.
Alasdair also has considerable personal experience of governance and safeguarding issues, having been on the boards of a major public body and several charities.
Background to the Review
In September 2023 the Trustees of New Wine commissioned Fiona Scolding KC to undertake an independent review into the allegations made concerning Mike Pilavachi, to explore how they relate to New Wine, and to highlight what we can learn for the future. This review is in addition to the ongoing review that Fiona Scolding KC is already conducting with regard to Soul Survivor and will be an addendum review to that report, building upon the learnings of that review.
The review will include a relationship audit into the nature and extent of our relationship with Mike Pilavachi and Soul Survivor. The full Terms of Reference of the New Wine Review are available HERE, and those affected (who have not already come forward to the review organised by the Trustees of Soul Survivor and Soul 61) or with information will be welcome to provide information on a voluntary basis. No information supplied to the Soul Survivor review will be shared with New Wine Trust. New Wine will provide support for those affected. At the review’s conclusion, Fiona Scolding KC will produce a separate report, which New Wine will publish in full.
Bishop Jill Duff, Chair of New Wine Trustees, has previously said the following regarding the upcoming review:
“Many have been hurt by Mike Pilavachi’s behaviour. As the new Chair of Trustees, I have asked for a full and independent review into the nature and extent of our relationship with Mike Pilavachi and Soul Survivor, to ascertain if there were allegations about his conduct at any New Wine events, and to highlight what we can learn for the future. We are in the process of doing this and will report as soon as possible. In the meantime, I would again urge anyone affected to seek the support and care that is available. Our priority is to enable a safe space for survivors to come forward, be heard and be cared for.”
For individuals or survivors of abuse seeking support or who have experiences related to Mike Pilavachi and Soul Survivor, or New Wine, Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, which provides a confidential space for you. Please contact them at safespaces@firstlight.org.uk for support.