Oxfam GB has appointed a new acting chief executive after Jan Oldfield, who took up the role following Halima Begum’s departure last month, left for another charity sector role.
Oldfield had been Oxfam’s chief support officer since 2021 and had stepped in as acting CEO in December when Begum left in controversial circumstances.
However, Oxfam confirmed this week that Oldfield left the charity on 23 January to take up another role in the sector, with chief people officer Joyce Idoniboye replacing her as acting CEO.
In a statement, Oxfam said Oldfield’s departure was planned before the charity appointed her as acting CEO and that it was planning to appoint an interim leader shortly.
“We thank Jan for all that she has done for Oxfam and the people we serve across the globe,” the charity said.
“We would like to express our particular gratitude and appreciation for the work she has undertaken over the past few weeks as acting CEO.
“Work is progressing to appoint an interim CEO to take the organisation forward, until a permanent CEO is appointed.
“Joyce Idoniboye (chief people officer) has kindly agreed to step in as acting CEO until an interim CEO is appointed.
“As the longest-serving, permanent member of the strategic leadership team, Joyce brings established leadership expertise and a strong commitment to Oxfam’s mission.”
Commission meeting with former trustee
Meanwhile, Civil Society now understands that the Charity Commission met Oxfam trustee Balwant Singh last week after he tendered his resignation due to the charity’s “inhumane” treatment of Begum.
Singh called for the commission to intervene at Oxfam when he announced his exit, which came after he had publicly raised concerns in December about the “brutal” manner of Begum’s departure.
Earlier this month, Oxfam announced a review of its board processes following Begum’s departure, which came after an internal review last year into concerns about her leadership.
Singh has expressed a lack of confidence in Oxfam’s latest review, questioned its independence and called for the commission to install caretaker leadership at the charity as part of a statutory inquiry.
The commission has not announced a formal investigation into Oxfam since Begum’s departure.
A spokesperson for Oxfam said: “Dr Singh has been a member of the Oxfam GB Board since November 2022. We thank him for his service and wish him all the best for the future.”
