# Oxfam GB announces Halima Begum as next Chief Executive - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/12/07/oxfam-gb-announces-halima-begum-as-next-chief-executive/ - Published: 2023-12-07T13:57:54+00:00 - Author: Melanie May **Halima Begum will be the next Chief Executive of Oxfam GB, the charity has today announced, taking over from Danny Sriskandarajah who steps down later this month.** Begum is a former senior British diplomat, and was also previously CEO of the Runnymede Trust. She is currently CEO of [ActionAid UK](https://actionaid.org.uk/) and will leave the role to join [Oxfam GB](https://www.oxfam.org.uk/) next year. Aleema Shivji, Oxfam GB Chief Impact Officer, will be interim Chief Executive until she is in post. ![Halima Begum](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2023/12/Halima-Begum-1.jpg) Halima Begum Oxfam GB [announced in June](https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/06/15/oxfam-gb-ceo-danny-sriskandarajah-to-step-down-at-end-of-year/) that current CEO Danny Sriskandarajah would be leaving the charity at the end of 2023 after five years at the helm, to take up a new role as CEO of the New Economics Foundation. He was previously Secretary General and CEO of CIVICUS. ## Advertisement Speaking on her appointment, Begum said: > “I am excited to be joining Oxfam – an organisation that pushes for change to > overcome poverty and inequalities around the world while being part of the fabric > of the British high street. > “At a time when the world is beset by conflict and climate change, inequality > and division, Oxfam has crucial role in supporting communities’ efforts to escape > poverty and ensuring that their voices cannot be ignored by those who hold power. >   > “Oxfam and ActionAid UK share the same ambitions to shift power and reform the > development sector, so this is a natural next step for me. As I transition to > my new role at Oxfam, I carry with me the invaluable experiences and lessons learned > during my tenure at ActionAid UK, from our humanitarian work in Gaza, our ongoing > work on anti-racism and decolonisation and our unwavering commitment to the rights > of women and girls around the world. >   > “I want to express my sincere appreciation for the understanding and encouragement > extended to me during this move. ActionAid will always hold a special place in > my heart, and I am confident that the organisation will continue to thrive under > its capable leadership. >   > “I am looking forward to taking up the Oxfam baton from Danny, ensuring our work > fighting poverty and responding to humanitarian emergencies is truly safe, feminist > and anti-racist and that it is led by the communities with which we work.” Charles Gurassa, Oxfam GB Chair of Trustees, said: > “We are delighted that Halima has agreed to join us. She brings a wealth of experience > in how to make change happen and a real passion to fight injustice. >   > “Under Danny’s leadership, Oxfam has made great strides in in re-establishing > its reputation with the British public, delivering its life changing work and > advocacy through its global network of partners and transforming the way we work. > I am thrilled we have found the right person to lead us on the next stage of that > journey.” Rajiv Vyas, ActionAid UK Acting Chair of Trustees, said: > “ActionAid UK bids a very fond farewell to our widely respected CEO Dr Halima > Begum, who is set to embark on a new chapter of her career as CEO of Oxfam GB. > Halima’s time at ActionAid UK has been marked by the empathy of her leadership > and a passionate belief in our mission of decolonization and anti-racism, as well > as ActionAid’s ever vital work in humanitarian emergencies including the ongoing > Gaza crisis. >   > “Her support for ActionAid’s women of colour cannot be overstated, coming as it > has at such a critical time for the organisation. Halima will continue to lead > in this area during her remaining time with the organisation. We recognise that > Halima’s departure is solely due to her decision to accept an opportunity with > Oxfam that means so much to her, and this decision has our full support. Otherwise, > Halima would have continued to lead ActionAid UK with the same empathy and commitment > she has shown since joining the organisation. >   > “Her colleagues at ActionAid UK look forward to working alongside Halima in the > sector for many years to come. We wish her every success at Oxfam and thank her > for the remarkable work she has done for the entire ActionAid federation.” ## Comments ### By: Pushpanath Krishnamurthy - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/12/07/oxfam-gb-announces-halima-begum-as-next-chief-executive/#comment-4570 - Published: 2023-12-08T04:54:47+00:00 Great news-good to have such an exoereinced leader. Congratulations and Wishing Ms Halima and Oxfam \-the best.