Oxfam Boss Resigns After Decade in Job

Oxfam Australia's executive director Andrew Hewett resigns

Oxfam Australia’s long serving Executive Director Andrew Hewett has announced his resignation after 11 years in the job.

Chair of Oxfam’s Board Michael Henry said Hewett had overseen big growth in Oxfam’s programs around the world – programs that deliver basic necessities like food, water and shelter, but uniquely, also build people’s capacity to argue and fight for those basic rights themselves.

Hewett, who began with the organisation when it was called Community Aid Abroad in 1991, said in the past 20 years he has seen first-hand the results of the hard work and dedication of Oxfam staff both here in Australia and around the world.

“Each and every one of Oxfam’s staff is working so hard to deliver a just world without poverty. I have been privileged to work alongside each and every one of them as we fight to get there.

“I have always thought that 10 years is a good maximum tenure for a job like Oxfam Executive Director and I’m now approaching 11 years,” Hewett said.

In his time at Oxfam Mr Hewett also headed up Oxfam International’s humanitarian response to the crisis in Timor Leste between 1999 and 2001 and was integral to the establishment of the Oxfam International Advocacy Office in Washington.

“I have witnessed real pain and suffering, most recently in East Africa where the effects of the famine are heartbreaking, and I have also witnessed real joy, seeing women in particular benefiting enormously from our programs – developing their own small businesses, making money for their families, providing food for their kids and leading their communities.”

It is believed Hewett will continue in his work on the Board of ACFID, the peak council of non-government overseas development agencies, in addition to his role as Co-Chair of the Make Poverty History coalition, according to Oxfam’s website.

Hewett has been with Oxfam for 21 years. He will remain in the job until December to allow time for a search for his replacement, according to the Oxfam Chair.

When Hewett’s official Oxfam duties conclude he plans to take a break with his family and then undertake some study in 2013.

Oxfam Australia was born 50 years ago out of two Australian international development agencies – Community Aid Abroad and the Australian Freedom from Hunger Campaign, according to Oxfam’s website.