The principle of an Oxford University college and vice chair of Oxford University’s Conference of Colleges has been appointed as the new humanitarian chief. 

Former British diplomat Tom Fletcher was appointed as the new humanitarian chief by UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres.

Mr Fletcher, who is currently principal of Hertford College, Oxford, and vice chair of Oxford University’s Conference of Colleges, succeeds fellow Briton Martin Griffiths, who stepped down for health reasons as undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs at the end of June.

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This followed nearly three years of Mr Griffiths trying to tackle mounting crises in Ukraine, Gaza and Africa.

UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq ,who announced the appointment, said acting UN humanitarian chief Joyce Msuya will remain in the job until Mr Fletcher takes over at a future date.

Mr Haq called Mr Fletcher “an internationally recognised communicator, through his books and media work across the fields of development, diplomacy, technology and democracy, with a blend of technocratic expertise and public diplomacy”.

In a post on X, Mr Fletcher said he is "grateful" for this opportunity to serve.

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"I will defend the humanitarian community, humanitarian values, and the people we serve," he added.

He previously served as global strategy director of the Global Business Coalition for Education from 2015-2019, served as the UK’s ambassador to Lebanon from 2011-2015 and as foreign and development policy adviser to three UK prime ministers from 2007-2011.

He was also a mediator on Northern Ireland and held diplomatic posts in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.