Rosemary Thorp, 1940-2025

Rosemary Thorp, former Chair of Oxfam GB, died on 8 November 2025, age 85.

Rosemary had a long and distinguished academic career as an economic historian, and expert on Latin America in general and Peru in particular, and was head of the University of Oxford’s Department of International Development.

Rosemary joined Oxfam’s Latin America Committee in 1984. She also served on the Campaigning and Education Committee, and then became a trustee in 1989. From then, subject to occasional sabbaticals, she served as a Trustee till 2006. She had a very long association with Oxfam’s country operations, in particular with Peru, and the Latin America region. Many generations of Oxfam staff relied on her for her deep knowledge, and indeed love, of Peru.

Rosemary became Chair of Oxfam GB on 1 December 2001, following in the footsteps of Joel Joffe, and remained chair until 2006. Her tenure included leading Oxfam GB through the challenges of dealing with the global events following 9/11, the launch of Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign in 2002 (she was in northern Senegal with a group of farmers thinking how they could fight to change the terms of their engagement with the wider economy to mark the launch), the response to the South Asian Tsunami of December 2004, the momentous events of Make Poverty History in 2005, and the development of the accountability framework in 2006.

Rosemary was a much-loved Trustee and Chair. Her warm, empathetic manner put staff at ease. Though she had an exceptionally sharp mind, she wore her learning lightly, and this coupled by her warm sense of humour and her collegiate style made for a very effective leadership of a highly cosmopolitan board. In her final Chair’s report, after five years, she reflected both on “a world shaken by disasters, which leave you shuddering”, but also of the amazing response from staff. She reflected on both the remarkable growth in advocacy and campaigning, and the huge importance of solidarity and work in country programmes.

Her words nearly 20 years ago resonate with us today: “We need constantly to hand over, to step aside, as we work with partners and in alliances.” She concluded: “I hope it is obvious that I have loved the job, and found it a great privilege to walk beside such committed and inspiring staff and volunteers. Thank you, all of you, including all our donors.”

In turn we say we loved you Rosemary, and found it a great privilege to serve under you. Thank you to you, and to your beloved husband Tim, for bearing with us through those 22 years of service.

Our condolences to her husband Tim, who was always very supportive of Oxfam, and Rosemary’s considerable commitment to Oxfam.