Action Aid appoints three interim co-CEOs

The chief executive post at Action Aid UK is to be covered by three of the charity’s directors while it looks for a permanent replacement for Halima Begum, who is leaving to lead Oxfam.

Director of innovation and impact Taahra Ghazi, director of people and culture Shade Odypelu, and director of advocacy and influencing Hannah Bond will all cover the role temporarily at the charity, which campaigns for social justice for women and girls.

In a statement the three interim CEOs said that the “feminist leadership structure” in place “will support our goal to achieve the greatest impact possible for women and girls by shifting our resources and power to their organisations and movements worldwide”.

The appointments come as Begum leaves the charity, which she joined last July. She is joining Oxfam as CEO replacing Danny Sriskandarajah, who stepped down at the end of 2023.

“I am thrilled to pass the baton to Taahra, Shade, and Hannah, who each bring a wealth of experience and the deepest commitment to ActionAid’s global mission,” said Begum.
“They will lead ActionAid UK with vision, integrity, and a steadfast dedication to social justice.

“I have no doubt that the entire ActionAid family looks forward to supporting and collaborating with the new co-leadership team as they embark on this important journey to create a more just and equitable world.”

Action Aaid UK acting chair Rajiv Vyas added: “ I am delighted by the AAUK Board’s decision to implement measures that reflect our feminist values in appointing a new interim leadership.

“This pioneering move will see three remarkable and highly talented women, all serving directors of the organisation with complementary skills, working in a distributed CEO function”.

Together, as co-CEOs, Taahra, Shade and Hannah are poised to lead ActionAid UK into a new era of impact and influence while maintaining the trajectory of deeper internationalisation.

“As seasoned advocates for women’s and girls’ rights, the new co-CEOs bring a wealth of experience and a strong dedication to advancing the rights of women, girls and their movements worldwide.