HM Revenue & Customs Chief Executive Dame Lesley Strathie has announced that she has stepped down due to ill health.
Dame Lesley was diagnosed with cancer in July this year. She had intended to return to work this autumn but because of deteriorating health has decided to step down to concentrate on her further treatment. She joined HMRC in November 2008 from Jobcentre Plus where she was Chief Executive.
Sir Gus O’Donnell, Head of the Home Civil Service, said:
“It is with huge sadness that I accept Lesley’s decision to stand down as Chief Executive of HMRC. Over the last 40 years, Lesley has devoted her life to public service. She has been a wonderful role model for all civil servants, working her way from the bottom to the very top of the Civil Service. She has never shied away from the tough jobs, from creating Jobcentre Plus; transforming the welfare agenda; and more recently leading HMRC. Alongside this, she has made a significant contribution to the wider Civil Service through her role as Head of Profession for Operational Delivery and as a key member of several cross-government groups. I will miss Lesley enormously and am hugely grateful to her for her dedicated support, wise advice and personal friendship.”
The Exchequer Secretary, David Gauke said:
“During the last year I have had the pleasure to work closely with Lesley and seen first hand her drive and ambition for HMRC. She has performed one of the most important and challenging roles in Whitehall with great skill, dedication and professionalism. On behalf of the Government I want to thank Lesley for her leadership of HMRC and wish her all the best for the future.”
Mike Clasper, Non-Executive Chair said:
“Lesley is a truly inspirational leader who has worked with passion and determination to transform HMRC. We all know how many challenges HMRC faces, but HMRC today is delivering improved services and compliance revenues thanks to Lesley’s clear leadership and focus on the customer and results. It is with great regret that she will not be able to see through the transformation she has begun but it is right that she focuses all her energies on her health. Lesley has built a strong leadership team who are well placed to lead HMRC and support a new Chief Executive.”
Dave Hartnett, Permanent Secretary for Tax said:
“Lesley has achieved a great deal during her three years as Chief Executive of HMRC. She is a wonderful colleague and I have learnt a great deal from working so closely with her. She will be very much missed and the work she has driven forward has ensured our Department is in a great shape for her successor to continue the transformation.”