The Jewish Leadership Council says it is running at a surplus this year despite the cost of setting up an inquiry into allegations of financial misconduct by its former chief executive Jeremy Newmark.

According to its newly published accounts for last year, the council recorded a deficit — nearly £70,000 — for the first time in a number of years, having increased spending from around £2,816,000 in 2016 to £3,117,00 in 2017. But it says a fundraising drive is under way to underwrite future activities.

A campaign to raise money for next year was launched in June with £375,000 pledged in the first month. “New funders [are] adding their pledges to the renewal of existing funders’ commitments.”

The JLC has its first woman treasurer in Suzi Woolfson, leader of UK private business for PwC and a board member of Stanmore United Synagogue.

She succeeds longstanding supporter Leo Noe, who stepped down from the trustees this week.

Criticised in the past over the paucity of women among its senior ranks, the JLC now has four females among its 12 trustees, its highest ever number.

During his first year as JLC chair, Jonathan Goldstein has set up commissions into care of the elderly and sustainability of communal services, as well as a youth mental health task force.