Trustee Cites 'Cruel and Inhumane' Treatment
Dr. Balwant Singh, a trustee of Oxfam GB since November 2022, has resigned from the charity's board, citing 'cruel and inhumane' treatment of former Chief Executive Halima Begum. Dr. Singh's resignation, effective January 18, 2026, follows Begum's departure from the organization in December 2025. In his resignation statement, Dr. Singh expressed a profound 'loss of confidence in the board's governance, integrity, transparency and accountability'.
He further asserted that the observed failures were 'sufficiently serious and systemic to warrant external regulatory intervention'. Dr. Singh also issued an apology to Begum, stating, 'I feel morally obliged to resign from the Oxfam GB board and my last act before I leave is to apologise to for the cruel and inhumane way she has been treated. We should have been better than this'.
Concerns Over Former CEO's Departure
Halima Begum's exit from Oxfam in December 2025 was reportedly due to concerns regarding her leadership, following an independent review commissioned after complaints from current and former staff. Oxfam stated that the board had made a unanimous decision that trust and confidence in Begum had been lost. However, Dr. Singh challenged this narrative, claiming that the statement issued on behalf of the board did not reflect his views as a trustee.
He condemned what he described as a 'brutal' briefing against Begum and alleged that the findings of the leadership investigation were not shared with her, nor was she afforded a right of reply. A lawyer representing Begum characterized her treatment as a 'victimising witch-hunt'.
Oxfam Initiates Independent Review
In response to the escalating concerns, Oxfam announced on January 9, 2026, that it would commission an independent review into its board processes following Begum's departure. This review aims to assess whether the board and trustees adhered to their duties and policies in the handling of the situation.
The controversy also follows the resignation of Oxfam's former chair, Charles Gurassa, in November 2025. Reports indicate that Begum had filed a grievance claim against Gurassa prior to his departure.
Implications for Internal Governance
The resignation of Dr. Balwant Singh and the surrounding circumstances have brought Oxfam's internal governance under intense scrutiny. The calls for external regulatory intervention highlight significant concerns about the charity's operational transparency and accountability. The ongoing independent review is expected to shed further light on the processes and decisions that led to the recent leadership changes and the subsequent trustee resignation.
5 Comments
ZmeeLove
Why undermine Oxfam's crucial work with these internal disputes? Focus on the mission!
Eugene Alta
On one hand, the call for external intervention by a trustee signals significant governance problems that can't be ignored. On the other hand, managing leadership changes and staff grievances in a large organization like Oxfam is inherently difficult, and we need to await the full findings.
Bella Ciao
External regulatory intervention is absolutely necessary here. This is a scandal!
Comandante
We only have one side of the story from Dr. Singh. Let the independent review finish.
Raphael
The allegations of 'cruel' treatment are deeply troubling, and Begum certainly deserves a fair process. However, charities also have a duty to address concerns about leadership effectively to protect their mission and staff.