HMRC Charter Committee Deadline Extended

HMRC is currently looking for members of the new Charter Committee.

Remember the Charter?

The original deadline was 3rd November. However, for reasons that are unclear (I assume because HMRC hasn't found enough suitable candidates?), the deadline has been extended to 9th November:

"In order to strengthen the governance of Your Charter, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has created a new Charter Committee.

This will be a sub-committee of the HMRC Board.

Its membership will include HMRC Executives, non-Executives and a range of external stakeholders who represent HMRC’s broad range of customer groups. It will be chaired by the HMRC Board’s Non-Executive Charter champion, Edwina Dunn.

We are looking for four people to join the Charter Committee as external members. We’d like these members to:

• represent HMRC’s broad customer groups
• constructively challenge and advise the Board on fulfilment of the Charter commitments

Those selected will be appointed in a personal capacity. To be successful in the role, individuals will need to have:

• experience relating to HMRC’s work from using our services
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to influence and persuade stakeholders at the highest level within public, private and third sector organisations as well as a clear ability to probe and challenge constructively
• the ability to examine and understand data/information, engage in team discussions to agree a course action and be part of a workable solution
• a strong customer service ethos and be passionate about improving and delivering services to all HMRC customers

Charter Committee members do not receive remuneration but HMRC reimburses expenses reasonably incurred in carrying out their duties such as standard class travel and travel on public transport. Further details will be provided to successful candidates when they take up appointment.

Full application information is contained in the Candidate Pack above.

The deadline for submitting applications is midday Monday 9 November 2015."

Anyone know why the deadline has slipped?

Tax does have to be taxing.

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HMRC's New NED's Lack Tax Experience

HMRC have appointed two new Non Executive Directors to the board, neither of whom have any specific experience in tax or finance.

Mervyn Walker and Simon Ricketts have joined the HMRC Board as successors to Philippa Hird and Norman Pickavance, who recently left their roles.

Both appointees bring a wide range of senior management experience to the Board, which is tasked with helping HMRC to deliver its agenda and maximise its performance.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke said:

“These appointments provide a rich mix of Board-level experience in major corporations. They will bring new and further capability and credible challenge to Board discussions.”

Ian Barlow, HMRC Lead Non-Executive Director, said:

“I am delighted with these appointments. Simon Ricketts and Mervyn Walker both have vast experience to help HMRC face the challenges of the future. HMRC’s Chief Executive, Lin Homer, and I would also like to thank Philippa Hird and Norman Pickavance for their valuable contributions.”

Simon and Mervyn will take up their roles as Board members on 1 September. Philippa Hird retired from the Board after serving for five and a half years, and Norman Pickavance stepped down to take up an executive role with a private company.

Notes to Editors

1. Simon Ricketts is Chief Information Officer of Rolls Royce PLC, a position he has held since 2010, where he is accountable for IT and business process transformation. He has extensive experience of leading large and complex cross-functional transformation programmes, in particular IT, manufacturing, logistics and customer service. He has also held senior roles at Scottish and Newcastle PLC, Cadbury Schweppes and British Steel. His broad experience as a Non-Executive Director most recently involved seven years on the main Board and Audit Committees at the National Savings and Investment Bank.
2. Mervyn Walker has broad experience in a range of roles in large customer service and industrial companies. He has been Group Human Resources Director at three FTSE-listed companies – British Airways, Mondi and, most recently, Anglo American. He also has extensive experience of organisational transformation in large and complex organisations. A lawyer by background, Mervyn now holds a portfolio of non-executive roles.
3. HMRC’s Board brings together six members of the department’s Executive Committee and six Non-Executive Directors, who bring an external perspective to the Board’s advice.
4. More information on the HMRC Board, including its recruitment processes, can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/groups/hmrc-board

Tax does have to be taxing.

Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations

Insurance to protect you against the cost of enquiry or dispute with HMRC is available from several sources including Solar Tax Investigation Insurance.

Ken Frost has negotiated a 10% discount on any polices that may suit your needs.

However, neither Ken Frost nor HMRCISSHITE either endorses or recommends their services.

What is Solar Tax Investigation Insurance?

Solar Tax Investigation Insurance is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.

To find out more, please use this link Solar Tax Investigation Insurance



HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"

Board Appointments

The announcement by HMRC yesterday of the appointment four new non executive directors brings a wealth of experience to the board.

Colin Cobain was Chief Information Officer of Tesco and had been voted CIO of the Year.

Philippa Hird was, until recently, Group Human Resources Director of ITV.

Dame Sue Street played a vital part in winning the 2012 London Olympics bid.

The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell, said:

"Sue Street has steered the DCMS through some very challenging times, positioning the department at the heart of Government, maximising links with the creative economy and culminating in the Olympic bid last year.

That success, and her leadership since, has seen Britain get off to a flying start as the host nation for the Olympics in 2012."

Factoid - the budget for the Olympics was originally under £3BN, it now stands at £12BN (including £2BN running costs).

Phil Hodkinson was group Finance Director of HBOS, until he retired at 50 in 2008. HBOS was bailed out by the government last year.

HBOS, according to The Times, could be "hollowed out" by its takeover partner Lloyds TSB.

I note that HMRC state the following:

"As Non-Executive Directors for HMRC they are bound by the rules on avoiding conflicts of interest as set out in HMRC guidance. This means they have to take all possible steps to protect themselves and the Department from allegations or perceptions of impropriety.

As chairman of HMRC, Mike Clasper will work with the Non-Executive Directors to help them avoid conflicts of interest, and he will take steps to ensure that they will not be involved in issues affecting an individual tax payer or groups of tax payers."

I also note that:

"Phil Hodkinson is currently an external adviser to the HMRC Senior Management Team and the Audit Committee. He has supported the department in the wake of the data loss and implementation of the Capability Review..."

Do my eyes deceive me, or is that not a conflict of interest that kind of involves issues affecting tax payers?

How will Clasper square that one then?

HMRC don't really get this Corporate Governance malarkey do they?

Tax does have to be taxing.

HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"