Oxfam GB in extended leadership limbo as CEO search drags on

Oxfam GB is currently operating with 80% of its most senior leadership roles held on an acting or interim basis, according to the charity’s website, while sources told Devex that more than 100 people have been approached about the charity’s CEO vacancy — with little interest. It comes after Oxfam recently appointed Jan Oldfield, its chief supporter officer for more than four years, to lead the organization as acting CEO, despite knowing she was already set to leave the organization within weeks. A review of Oxfam GB’s website shows that four of the organization’s five listed executive leadership roles are currently held on an acting or interim basis. Oxfam said in a statement released on Jan. 27 that Joyce Idoniboye, the charity’s chief people officer, had agreed to step in as “acting CEO” until an “interim CEO” had been appointed. “As the longest-serving, permanent member of the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT), Joyce brings established leadership expertise and a strong commitment to Oxfam’s mission,” the charity said in its statement. Oldfield initially agreed to lead the charity as acting CEO in December upon the departure of former CEO Halima Begum on Dec. 14, 2025, but Oxfam confirmed that Oldfield left the charity on Jan. 23 of this year to take up another role in the NGO sector. The charity said the move had already been planned before the former CEO left. A spokesperson for Amnesty International UK told Devex that, as of Jan. 26, Oldfield is the NGO’s new director of mass market fundraising. Begum’s departure rocked the NGO sector and, in part, triggered the current leadership crisis. She left the organization amid allegations about her leadership and conduct, but since then, Oxfam has become embroiled in a conflict filled with tit-for-tat accusations. Begum accused Oxfam of “brutally” dismissing her and said she’s filed a claim with an employment tribunal. The charity has undertaken an independent review of its governance. In a statement shared with Devex, Oxfam said that once the charity has an interim CEO in post, it is looking to appoint a permanent CEO. “Arrangements to appoint an interim CEO are well underway,” a spokesperson told Devex, saying the charity would share an update on its progress in due course. The spokesperson added that the board’s focus was on ensuring “stability and continuity” while permanent appointments progressed. According to two sources familiar with the matter, more than 100 people have been approached about the vacancy but there has been little interest in taking on the position. Oxfam’s spokesperson did not address the allegation, nor specify the anticipated timeline for an appointment. When he resigned from his role as trustee of Oxfam GB on Jan. 18, Dr. Balwant Singh, an independent adviser to international development organizations, criticized the charity’s decision-making around leadership following Begum’s departure, saying it had “undermined” his confidence in the Oxfam board’s judgment. “A departing senior leader was appointed as interim CEO, while a highly respected Black woman leader serving as Chief People Officer — centrally involved in resolving safeguarding compliance failures — was excluded from consideration and from key processes,” Singh wrote in his resignation letter, seen by Devex, ostensibly referring to Idoniboye. “These decisions raise serious questions about values, governance competence and risk awareness.” He also wrote that there had been “lots said and written” about racial justice and decolonization within Oxfam for years, but that there was “little or no” evidence of any substantive action and change at board and organizational levels. A spokesperson for Oxfam did not address a question from Devex regarding the rationale for the decision to appoint Oldfield, whether Idoniboye was originally considered for the interim role in December, and the factors that informed the board’s decision at the time. The appointment of Idoniboye to the acting CEO role following Oldfield’s departure has reignited debate in the sector about whether women from diverse backgrounds can face disproportionate scrutiny in senior roles during periods of institutional strain. Asked about the support structures in place for Idoniboye, a spokesperson for Oxfam told Devex that the acting CEO was supported by the board and the wider strategic leadership team. A source close to Oxfam said Begum had faced “abuse, bullying, sexism and racism” during her tenure, pointing to a 2019 review of Oxfam International that documented bullying and cultural concerns. “That mindset doesn't suddenly change overnight,” the source said. Oxfam has previously said that it knows that there is more work to do within the charity on inclusion, equity, and culture. The charity maintains that an independent review found substantive concerns relating to Begum’s conduct, decision-making, and leadership style. As well as Idoniboye, the other leaders listed on the NGO’s website are Lorna Fallon, interim chief supporter officer, who was previously the charity’s retail and trading director; Jackie Nickson, acting chief operating officer, who was Oxfam’s head of property and estates; and Sonya Sultan, interim chief influencing officer, who has served in the role since November 2025, according to her LinkedIn. Huric Tang, Oxfam’s chief financial officer — who has been in the role for eight months, according to his LinkedIn — is the only leadership team member who appears to be permanently appointed. Oxfam’s spokesperson did not address the timeline for permanent appointments to these roles.