Key Takeaways
- Oxfam’s board of trustees commissioned a review to examine concerns about Dr. Begum’s leadership, conduct, and approach.
- The review found serious issues in Dr. Begum’s leadership behavior and decision-making, including breaches of organizational processes and values.
- Dr. Begum has been discharged from her role as CEO and has already left the organization.
- Jan Oldfield will take up the role of acting chief executive, and the board’s priority is to provide stability for staff and rebuild confidence across the organization.
- Oxfam has faced a difficult year, with profits from its shops dropping by two-thirds over the past three years and 250 staff members made redundant to save £10.2m from its wage bill.
Introduction to the Investigation
The Oxfam board of trustees commissioned a review to examine concerns raised about the leadership, conduct, and approach of Dr. Begum, the former CEO of the organization. The review was carried out by the legal firm Howlett Brown between November and December 2025. The investigation drew on testimony from 32 current and former Oxfam colleagues, as well as documentary evidence. This thorough approach ensured that the review was comprehensive and fair, taking into account various perspectives and evidence.
Findings of the Review
The findings of the review showed serious issues in Dr. Begum’s leadership behavior and decision-making, including breaches of organizational processes and values. Specifically, the review found that Dr. Begum had interfered inappropriately into safeguarding and integrity investigations. These findings are significant and indicate a lack of adherence to the organization’s values and processes. The review’s findings led to the decision to discharge Dr. Begum from her role as CEO, which was passed last week. Dr. Begum has already left the organization, and the role of acting chief executive will be taken up by Jan Oldfield, Oxfam’s chief supporter officer for more than four years.
Reaction to the Review’s Findings
The acting co-chairs of Oxfam GB, Nana Afadzinu and Dame Annie Hudson, stated that their priority going forward is to provide stability for staff and rebuild confidence across the organization. They acknowledged that the review’s findings were concerning and emphasized the importance of addressing the recommendations in the report. The board has taken immediate steps to strengthen oversight and reinforce organizational processes, which is a positive step towards restoring confidence in the organization. The fact that work is already underway to address the recommendations in the report indicates that the board is committed to making necessary changes.
Context of Dr. Begum’s Departure
Dr. Begum’s departure comes after a difficult year for Oxfam. Earlier this month, financial figures released by the charity showed that profits from its shops had dropped by two-thirds over the past three years. This decline is significant and indicates a challenging period for the organization. The Oxford-based charity also made 250 of its 2,100 UK staff redundant earlier this year to save £10.2m from its wage bill. At the time, Dr. Begum said that the decline was due to the charity’s work taking place "against a backdrop of deep uncertainty, rising inflation and a cost-of-living crisis." These factors have undoubtedly contributed to the challenges faced by Oxfam, and the organization’s ability to adapt to these challenges will be crucial in the coming months.
Future Directions for Oxfam
The departure of Dr. Begum and the appointment of Jan Oldfield as acting chief executive mark a new chapter for Oxfam. The organization’s priority is to provide stability for staff and rebuild confidence across the organization. This will require a concerted effort to address the recommendations in the report and to strengthen oversight and reinforce organizational processes. The fact that the board has taken immediate steps to address these issues is a positive sign, and it will be important to monitor the organization’s progress in the coming months. Ultimately, Oxfam’s ability to navigate these challenges and emerge stronger will depend on its ability to learn from its mistakes and to make necessary changes to its leadership and governance structures.