HMRC boss to step down and join FRC

Thompson joined HMRC in April 2016 and led the organisation through a period of change including:

• Increases in the collection of tax revenues due and compliance revenues;
• A general downward trend in the tax gap;
• An overall recovery in customer service levels;
• The introduction of Making Tax Digital;
• Opening HMRC’s first regional centre with two more due this year.

Thompson will take on a new role as chief executive of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) this autumn.

He said: "It’s been a tremendous privilege to lead HMRC for more than three years, so to leave now has not been an easy decision for me to make. However, to have the opportunity to lead the FRC, as it turns into the Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority, and to promote public trust in doing business in the UK, at a point when we’re about to forge new alliances across the world, is too exciting to turn down.”

Jim Harra, deputy chief executive and second permanent secretary at HMRC, continues to be the department’s lead for exiting the EU, as has been the case since he took over this role in January 2018.

HMRC said the recruitment process for the chief executive and first permanent secretary role will begin shortly and an announcement about a successor will be made in due course.