Interim Chief Executive

Richard was previously Chief Executive of the British Asian Trust, Scope and Sense International, as well as International Programmes Director of VSO.  He has held a number of non-executive roles including being Chair of BOND (the umbrella body for UK international NGOs), a Trustee of UNICEF UK, Chair of Motivation (an international disability charity) and on the Advisory Boards of the World Humanitarian Forum and the UK’s Charity Bank.

A quotation by which I live by:

Let no-one be discouraged by the belief there is nothing one can do against the enormous array of the world’s ills. Each of us can work to change a small portion of events. Each time a person stands up for an ideal or strikes out against injustice, they send a tiny ripple of hope - and those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. Bobby Kennedy

A book I swear by:

Doing Good Better by William Macaskill – all about effective altruism, the negative consequences of positive intentions that are not thought through properly and how we can do better.

A song I’d dance my last dance on earth to:

For 40 years immediately before every speech, presentation or media interview, the last thing I do is listen to Daydream Believer by The Monkees (don’t ask!) – so if this was my last dance on earth, it would have to be that.

Why Oxfam?:

Oxfam is one of the greatest development and humanitarian organisations there has ever been in the world.  Having worked in international development for 30 years, it is the privilege of my life to now be part of Oxfam.