By Wahome Ngatia
One of Britain’s most prominent charity leaders, Dr. Halima Begum, has been forced out of her role as Chief Executive of Oxfam GB following a devastating internal inquiry into her conduct. The departure marks a stunning fall for a leader once hailed as a radical reformer, but whose tenure ended amid a “blowout” of staff resignations, allegations of a “reign of terror,” and an impending battle in the employment tribunals.
The crisis at the Oxford-based humanitarian giant reached a breaking point last week when the board of trustees declared Dr. Begum’s position “untenable,” citing an “irretrievable breakdown in trust and confidence.” The decision followed a two-month investigation by the legal firm Howlett Brown, which painted a damaging picture of leadership at the charity’s highest levels.
The ‘Climate of Fear’
The internal probe was triggered by a mutiny within the ranks. Nearly 70 employees signed a collective letter to the board, raising alarm over what they described as a “climate of fear” and an “intense culture of retribution” under Dr. Begum’s leadership.
According to sources and internal documents, the fallout was driven by a controversial restructuring program intended to save approximately £10 million in payroll expenses. While the charity characterized the moves as a necessary response to falling donations and inflation, staff alleged the process was used to purge dissenters.
The Howlett Brown review, which drew on testimony from 32 current and former colleagues, reportedly identified “serious issues” in Dr. Begum’s behavior and decision-making. The findings suggested breaches of organizational values and, perhaps most critically, “inappropriate interference” in safeguarding and integrity investigations—a sensitive area for Oxfam, which has spent years attempting to rehabilitate its image following past sexual misconduct scandals.
The Blowout
The human cost of the internal friction was significant. Several senior employees reportedly resigned in the months leading up to the dismissal, citing an inability to work under the CEO’s management style. One former employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the atmosphere as “toxic,” alleging that “widespread animosity” had paralyzed key operations.
The charity’s trustees were forced to act as the “blowout” threatened Oxfam’s stability. In a statement, acting co-chairs Nana Afadzinu and Annie Hudson emphasized that their priority is now to “rebuild confidence across the organization” and ensure that “the highest standards of governance and leadership are upheld.”
A Defiant Legal Challenge
However, Dr. Begum is not leaving quietly. In a defiant counter-offensive, her legal team has characterized the investigation as a “victimizing witch-hunt.”
Her solicitor, Lawrence Davies of Equal Justice, told reporters that Dr. Begum “entirely denies the defamatory and unfounded criticism” leveled against her. He alleged that the former CEO had been subjected to “hostile, victimizing, and discriminatory conduct” by the charity she led.
Crucially, Davies revealed that Dr. Begum has already “whistleblown” to the Charity Commission regarding several matters of public interest. Her lawyers contend that she was “constructively dismissed” and have confirmed that legal proceedings will be commenced in the Employment Tribunal.
Supporters of Dr. Begum, including some members of the board of trustees who have since broken ranks, suggest the complaints were an “orchestrated retaliation” by staff resistant to her decolonization agenda. One trustee, Balwant Singh, claimed that Dr. Begum’s treatment had been “anything but kind, just or fair,” and revealed that she had previously raised concerns about experiencing racial abuse within the organization.
Broader Fallout and workplace culture in the aid sector
The controversy has also touched on Oxfam’s public neutrality. The internal review reportedly examined Dr. Begum’s public statements on the Gaza conflict and the war in Ukraine. Critics within the charity argued that her vocal stance—including calls to halt UK arms sales to Israel and criticism of long-range missile supplies to Kyiv—had alienated donors and endangered staff safety in the field.
Beyond the immediate legal wrangle, the upheaval has sparked wider conversation about workplace culture in the aid sector and the challenges of leading large, value-driven organisations during periods of transformation. Some observers argue that the dispute underscores the necessity of transparent governance structures and robust HR practices that protect both staff and leadership from undue pressure or unfair targeting. Others worry that the public nature of the dispute could undermine donor confidence at a time when charities face mounting demand for services and constrained funding.
As Dr. Begum prepares for a public legal battle, Jan Oldfield has stepped in as acting CEO. For Oxfam, the task of mending its internal culture and restoring donor trust begins anew, even as the “Begum blowout” moves from the boardroom to the courtroom.
