Jamie Livingstone has been appointed the new head of Oxfam Scotland

Oxfam Scotland has announced that its former head of communications, Jamie Livingstone, is to take over at the head of the organisation.

Livingstone (34) replaces Judith Robertson, who held the post for nine years.

He will lead the Scottish team of Oxfam GB as the charity focuses its global attention on inequality and climate change.

We must do more to face down the two biggest challenges of our time: growing inequality and the impact of climate change

Jamie Livingstone

Prior to his appointment, Livingstone worked for two years as Oxfam Scotland’s campaigns and communications manager, having joined the organisation after a nearly decade-long career in journalism, including as political correspondent for STV News.

Livingstone, who was born and brought up in Dunfermline before studying international relations and economics at the University of St Andrews, said he is excited and humbled to lead Oxfam Scotland.

“Today our focus is clear,” he said.

“We must do more to face down the two biggest challenges of our time: growing inequality and the impact of climate change.

“Both of these issues affect the world’s poorest people most, including here in Scotland, and we will be doing all we can to ensure Oxfam’s voice is heard on these crucial challenges.”

Since joining Oxfam, Livingstone has been part of the campaign for a global Arms Trade Treaty, as well as theEnough Food For Everyone IF campaign, which secured a doubling in the Scottish Climate Justice Fund and new investment in global citizenship education in Scottish schools.

Livingstone added: “Oxfam is known for its work overseas, however, right now more than 870,000 people here in Scotland live in poverty and thousands are struggling to afford food to eat – that cannot be either acceptable or accepted in our society.

“Cuts to social safety nets have gone too far and employment is no longer a guaranteed route out of poverty due to low wages. We must do more to ensure everyone shares in Scotland’s prosperity.”

Livingstone is on the board of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland and is deputy convenor of the Disasters Emergency Committee in Scotland.