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Our experts

This is a list of Oxfam's main spokespeople across our key issues. To arrange an interview with any of the following - or a different spokesperson from Oxfam - please call the press office on +44 (0)1865 472498 or out of hours on +44 (0)7748 761999.

Dame Barbara Stocking, Chief Executive

Barbara Stocking took up the post of chief executive of Oxfam GB in May 2001, becoming the first woman to lead the organisation. During her tenure, Barbara has led Oxfam's response to the Asian Tsunami and the Pakistan Earthquake, as well as humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Sudan.

Barbara has strengthened Oxfam's campaigning with the Make Trade Fair campaign, the organisation's major role in 2005 to Make Poverty History, and more recently the Robin Hood Tax campaign. In June 2011, Oxfam launched a major four-year campaign to achieve food justice for those living in poverty today and sustainable food for a population of 9 billion in 2050.

Prior to joining Oxfam, Barbara was a member of the senior management team of the National Health Service. In her eight years with the NHS, Barbara worked as a regional director and then as Director of the NHS Modernisation Agency.



Penny Lawrence, International Programmes Director

Penny joined Oxfam GB in March 2006 as International Programmes Director.

Penny is responsible for leading Oxfam's programme team of over 3,000 staff who work with partners, across 60 countries, at local, national and international levels. She leads Oxfam's humanitarian response, long-term development programmes and campaigning activities around the world with an annual budget of £300m. Penny started her career as a teacher and was International Programmes Director at VSO before joining Oxfam. Penny remains a committed educationalist and has combined her interest in education and development throughout her career.



Phil Bloomer, Director of Campaigns and Policy

Phil leads on global campaigning and programme policy work. His current priorities are; a fair global deal on climate change that works for the poor, humanitarian protection and assistance in the crisis of Darfur/Chad, Afghanistan, and Congo, and the provision of essential health and education for all.

Phil is responsible for a team of 170 staff working in policy teams, the Media Unit and the Campaigns Department.