Refugee Action is pleased to announce that Stephen Hale OBE has been appointed as its new Chief Executive.

Stephen joins from Oxfam International where he was Deputy Advocacy and Campaigns Director and starts with Refugee Action on 23 February 2015.

Before joining Oxfam, Stephen was Director of the UK charity Green Alliance. He has also worked as a special advisor to government ministers, focusing on climate change. Stephen is a trustee of Friends of the Earth, and was a Christian Aid trustee from 2007-10.

Stephen Hale says:

“I am really excited to be joining the talented and committed Refugee Action team. For more than 30 years Refugee Action has been helping people who’ve survived some of the world’s worst regimes to secure the protection and support that they need to live with dignity.

“These are challenging times for refugees in Britain. After surviving appalling injustices and abuses, every single person arriving here deserves fair treatment, protection and support. I look forward to working with many others to end the injustice and poverty that faces so many refugees in the UK today.”

Julia Meiklejohn, Refugee Action’s Chair of Trustees adds:

“We’re delighted to welcome Stephen to Refugee Action. With his passion for human rights and an impressive track record in leadership, advocacy and campaigning, he has the expertise, focus and determination to lead our charity at this crucial time.

“We look forward to what is an exciting new era for Refugee Action as we strive to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in this country.”

Stephen replaces Dave Garratt who leaves Refugee Action at the end of January after more than 15 years at the charity.