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The chief executive of Oxfam GB has been forced out by the charity’s board after an independent review found “serious issues” with her behaviour and decision making.<\/p>\n
The organisation’s trustees decided Dr Halima Begum’s position was “untenable” because of an “irretrievable breakdown in its trust and confidence” in her ability to do the job.<\/p>\n
About 70 members of staff had signed a letter calling for Oxfam to investigate Dr Begum’s conduct, with several employees said to have resigned after falling out with her, the Times reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n Dr Begum had been in the role for almost two years. The BBC has contacted her for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In a statement, Oxfam confirmed the review was commissioned by its board of trustees to examine “concerns raised about the leadership, conduct and approach” of Dr Begum.<\/p>\n It said the review was carried out by legal firm Howlett Brown between November and December 2025.<\/p>\n The investigation drew on testimony from 32 current and former Oxfam colleagues, as well as documentary evidence, the charity said.<\/p>\n Findings showed “serious issues in the CEO’s leadership behaviour and her decision making, including breaches of organisational processes and values, and inappropriate interference into safeguarding and integrity investigations”, it added.<\/p>\n The decision to discharge Dr Begum from her role was passed last week and she has already left the organisation, Oxfam said.<\/p>\n The role of acting chief executive will be taken up by Jan Oldfield, Oxfam’s chief supporter officer for more than four years, it added.<\/p>\n Acting co-chairs of Oxfam GB, Nana Afadzinu and Dame Annie Hudson, said their priority going forward was to provide “stability” for staff and “rebuild confidence” across the organisation”.<\/p>\n “The Board has taken immediate steps to strengthen oversight and reinforce organisational processes, and work is already underway <\/b>to address the recommendations in the report,” they added.<\/p>\n Dr Begum’s departure comes after a difficult year for Oxfam.<\/p>\n