The charity’s board has ousted Oxfam GB’s chief executive after an independent review found “serious issues” in her behavior and decision-making.
The organization’s administrators decided that Dr Halima Begum’s position was “untenable” due to an “irreparable breakdown of her confidence” in her ability to do the job.
Around 70 staff had signed a letter asking Oxfam to investigate Dr Begum’s conduct, and several staff were said to have resigned after falling out with her, the Times reported.
Dr Begum had been in that role for almost two years. The BBC has contacted her for comment.
In a statement, Oxfam confirmed that the review was commissioned by its board to examine “concerns raised about the leadership, conduct and approach” of Dr Begum.
He said the review was conducted by law firm Howlett Brown between November and December 2025.
The investigation was based on testimony from 32 current and former Oxfam colleagues, as well as documentary evidence, the charity said.
The findings showed “serious problems in the chief executive’s leadership behavior and decision-making, including violations of organizational processes and values, and inappropriate interference with safeguarding and integrity investigations,” it added.
The decision to remove Dr Begum from her position was taken last week and she has already left the organisation, Oxfam said.
The role of interim chief executive will be taken on by Jan Oldfield, Oxfam’s top boss for more than four years, he added.
Oxfam GB acting co-chairs Nana Afadzinu and Dame Annie Hudson said their priority going forward was to provide “stability” to staff and “rebuild trust” across the organisation.
“The Board has taken immediate steps to strengthen oversight and reinforce organizational processes, and work is already underway to address the report’s recommendations,” they added.
Dr Begum’s departure comes after a difficult year for Oxfam.
Earlier this month, financial figures published by the charity showed its stores’ profits had fallen by two-thirds in the last three years.
The Oxford-based charity also laid off 250 of its 2,100 UK employees earlier this year to save £10.2 million from its wage bill.
At the time, Dr Begum said the decline was because the charity’s work was being carried out “against a backdrop of deep uncertainty, rising inflation and the cost of living crisis”.
