Penny joined Oxfam GB in March 2006 as International Programmes Director, where she is responsible for leading Oxfam GB's country and regionally based programme team of over 3000 staff who work with partners across 60 countries, at local, national and international levels. Penny leads on humanitarian response, long-term development programmes and campaigning activities around the world with a growing annual budget, currently £300m.

In addition to her corporate, strategic leadership role in Oxfam GB, Penny is part of the senior Oxfam International leadership team, leading cross-confederation change to develop a single management structure across Oxfam International. Penny also sits on various advisory committees,including The Centre for the Study of African Economies and the Advisory Board for the Refugee Studies Centre at Oxford University.

Previously, Penny was International Programmes Director at VSO leading a corporate change agenda to focus outcomes in six development goals, increasing income and developing a more diverse volunteer body and workforce. VSO now recruits volunteers from East Africa, Philippines, India and Canada as well as Europe. Penny started her career as a teacher and remains a committed educationalist.