The timeline from late 2012
NOVEMBER 2012
Goal’s chief operations officer, Jonathan Edgar, asks the charity’s head of risk, Jerry Cole, to investigate allegations of corruption against the charity’s employee Ernst Halilov in South Sudan.
DECEMBER 2012
Mr Cole identifies a number of serious irregularities in procurement processes involving Mr Halilov. These concerns never appear to have been brought to the attention of Goal’s board.
JANUARY 2013
Mr Halilov begins working for Goal’s Syria programme as head of logistics. Jonathan Edgar and Jerry Cole begin discussing the formation of a business venture with Mr Halilov. Barry Andrews commences as CEO.
MAY 28, 2013
The first of several Noble House firms is established with Jonathan Edgar, Jerry Cole and Ernst Halilov as directors and Jonathan Godson as a shareholder. Later a twin brother of Jonathan Godson, Andrew Godson, becomes a board member of Goal UK.
DECECEMBER 9, 2013
Mr Andrews becomes aware that two of his executives are shareholders in Noble House – a firm that is seeking to bid for Goal contracts. He instructs them to cease their involvement and to sever ties with the venture.
DECEMBER 10, 2013
Mr Edgar and Mr Cole transfer their shares in Noble House to Jonathan Godson, a twin brother of UK board member Andrew. Mr Edgar and Mr Cole provide repeated written confirmation to Mr Andrews that they’ve divested their interest in Noble House.
MARCH 13, 2014
In a WhatsApp chat, Jonathan Edgar asked for his shareholding to be transferred to another name while continuing to be beneficially owned by him.
FEBRUARY 2014
Mr Andrews is alerted to the fact that Jerry Cole is still involved with Noble House. Mr Cole is suspended and resigns.
SEPTEBMER 15, 2015
More than a year after he joined the board, Andrew Godson declares to the board of Goal UK that his brother owns shares in Noble House. The board sees no issue and the declaration is noted.
DECEMBER 22, 2015
US aid investigators tell Mr Edgar during a phone call that Mr Halilov is the subject of a US investigation into kickbacks. Days later they provide a memo that lists Noble House – and its sister company Red Rose – as among the companies being examined. Mr Edgar does not tell the agents of his association with Noble House and Halilov.
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
Despite being under investigation and being blacklisted by funders, Goal contracts with Red Rose for a technology pilot programme to take place in Nepal.
MARCH 30, 2016
US agents tell Goal of their concern that Mr Edgar had failed to disclose his association with Noble House and Mr Halilov to them.
MAY 8, 2016
This newspaper reveals for the first time the association between Noble House and Goal executives.
APRIL 2016
The US Office of the Inspector General asks Goal to appoint independent auditors to investigate supply chain irregularities. Accountantcy company BDO is appointed.
AUGUST 2016
The BDO investigation report is provided to Goal’s key donors. Barry Andrews informs the board of his intention to step down.
SEPTEMBER 2016
Jonathan Edgar – who was already under suspension – resigns from Goal.