HMRC appoints Chief Exec and Permanent Secretary for Tax
Mike Clasper, the Chairman of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced today that the Prime Minister has approved the appointment of Lesley Strathie as the Chief Executive Officer of HM Revenue & Customs. Lesley Strathie, who is currently Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus and Second Permanent Secretary at DWP, will take up her new post in early November.
Mike Clasper also announced that the Prime Minister has approved the appointment of Dave Hartnett as the new Permanent Secretary for Tax at HMRC.
The Chancellor, the Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP said:
“This Chief Executive role at HMRC is one of the biggest delivery jobs in Government and Lesley Strathie is very experienced in delivering quality customer services. She has a first rate proven record in the public sector.”
Mike Clasper said:
“I am delighted to welcome Lesley Strathie to HMRC. She is an inspirational leader and has an excellent track record for good management and effective delivery and I am looking forward to working with her in the future.
“I know that Dave Hartnett will do a fantastic job as our new Permanent Secretary for Tax. He will be able to use his extensive professional skills to strengthen the professionalism of the department and continue to improve HMRC’s performance in dealing with the tax affairs of our customers.”
Lesley Strathie said:
“This is a great opportunity for me to work in one of Whitehall’s most important departments. I am looking forward to working with Mike, Dave and all of HMRC’s people who play such an important role in the life of the country.”
Dave Hartnett said:
“I am looking forward to working with Lesley in my new role within HMRC. It is a great department with dedicated staff and we are all determined to provide an even better service to all our customers.”
After joining the then DHSS, Lesley worked in a number of unemployment benefit offices in south-west Scotland before moving to London in 1984. She entered the Senior Civil Service in 2000 becoming Chief Operating Officer of Jobcentre Plus in August 2003 and its Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary at DWP in October 2005.
Dave Hartnett joined the Inland Revenue in 1976. He worked on investigation work for almost 10 years before becoming Director of Claims Branch in 1991. He was appointed Director of the Financial Intermediaries and Claims Office in 1994 before moving to lead the technical team on personal taxation in 1996. He was appointed Director of Capital and Savings in 1998 with responsibility for tax policy for capital taxes, savings, pensions, share schemes, charity tax issues and stamp duty. He led the Quinquennial review of the Valuation Office Agency before becoming Director General for Large Business Tax in 2000. He was appointed Acting Chairman of HMRC in November 2007 and Acting Chief Executive of HMRC in August 2008 following the appointment of Mike Clasper as Chairman of HMRC.