The call of duty

The VATRat award — presented by The Tax Journal and Baker Tilly — is given to an individual who has made a significant contribution to VAT.

This year the distinguished panel of judges (or should that be the panel of distinguished judges) decided that the recipient should be Bob Davies chairman of the Institute of Indirect Taxation.

After starting his career with HMRC Bob moved to the private sector and now works as a consultant and trainer. In the interim he became involved with the Institute of Indirect Taxation joining the council in 1991 and becoming chairman in 1994 for a two-year term. Twelve years later he is still there currently working on the development of a Customs Diploma to sit alongside the Institute's VAT Diploma.
As might be expected Bob is an enthusiast for VAT his 'favourite duty!' (artistic licence before...