Oli May

For more than 20 years across 23 countries and over 60 clients, Oli has helped governments, non-profits and mission-driven organisations to unlock impact through great strategy, managed risks and proportionate governance. He has led across all stages of the international development lifecycle.

Oli was a Partner at a ‘Big 4’ professional services firm, where he built its international development practice from a near-greenfield start. The practice implemented aid programs in the Pacific and carried out risk, strategy, training and evaluation engagements for global humanitarian and development clients. That followed his success in driving the firm’s forensic integrity services in New South Wales, supporting clients across public, private and non-profit sectors to manage risk.

A specialist in integrity, security and justice by trade, Oli is particularly well-known as a leading voice on risk in the global humanitarian and development sector. He is the author of two books on tackling integrity risks and a passionate advocate for locally-led approaches. He is regular and popular speaker and commentator on risk issues.

Prior to Big 4, Oli was the in-house head of counter-fraud at Oxfam GB, tackling financial crime risks across its 54 countries and 31,000 staff and volunteers. He has also been the Company Secretary and Director of Legal, Governance, Risk and Compliance for the Fred Hollows Foundation (a portfolio that included internal audit, global security and being Company Secretary for FHF UK and USA also). Oli’s beginnings were in law enforcement, mostly as an operational officer in what is now the UK’s National Crime Agency, tackling the highest levels of transnational organised crime.

If he’s not helping clients, you’ll usually find Oli in the ocean.