All change among HMRC's top bosses

Next year will see significant movement at the top of HMRC, after the department announced a replacement for Lesley Strathie and remarked upon the departures of Dave Hartnett and Mike Clasper.

Lin Homer, pictured, will be the Revenue's next chief executive officer, taking over from Dame Leslie, who stepped down last month on health grounds.

Ms Homer, who is currently permanent secretary at the Department for Transport, will take on her new role in January. Her appointment has been approved by the prime minister and the chancellor of the Exchequer.

Civil service head Gus O’Donnell welcomed Ms Homer to HMRC, saying, ‘She has a wealth of experience working in the public service in central and local government… I know that Lin will build on Lesley’s achievements.’

Dave Hartnett, the permanent secretary for tax, is to retire next summer, having stayed on in his position longer than is traditional. The usual retirement age of a permanent secretary is 60; Mr Hartnett will celebrate his 61st birthday in February.

Jonathan Baume the general secretary of the FDA, the union that represents the taxman’s senior managers, applauded Mr Hartnett for waiting until 2012. His delay will ‘help ensure a smooth transition and the restructuring of senior posts, which will give greater clarity and accountability at the top of the department,’ claimed Mr Baume.

Also to leave the Revenue next year is Mike Clasper, the chairman of the eight-strong board. Having served a fixed three-year contract, Mr Clasper will move on; a process to find his replacement is scheduled to begin within the next few months.

 

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