HM REVENUE AND
CUSTOMS News Release (Ref:NAT02/09) issued by COI News Distribution
Service. 5 January 2009
HM Revenue &
Customs today announced four new non-executive appointments to its Board:
* Colin Cobain
* Philippa Hird
* Phil Hodkinson
* Dame Sue Street DCB
The appointments took effect from 2 January 2009 for a period of
three years and were made following an external recruitment
process that was carried out in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance.
The HMRC Board provides strategic leadership, approves business
plans, monitors performance and ensures the highest standards of
corporate governance.
Mike Clasper, Chairman of HMRC and Chair of the Board said:
"I am pleased to announce the appointment of four new
Non-Executive Directors to the Board of HMRC. This is the next
step in strengthening the department's governance. The
Non-Executives bring to the Board a diverse mix of expertise and
skills from across both public and private sector."
Notes for editors
These four new Non-Executive directors join two current
Non-Executives, John Spence and Mark Haysom.
Colin Cobain is a highly successful Chief Information Officer who
has won awards for his work within the retail sector. He was
formerly CIO of Tesco where he played a significant role in the
transformation of their technological capability.
His current roles are:
Non-Executive Chairman of Safe Surgery Systems; and Interim Group
CIO at the brewer SABMiller.
Previously he has been:
Chief Executive at Incepto;
Complementary Channels Director, Systems & Logistics
Director, Systems and Business Development Director, Director of
Retail Developments, Head of MIS all within the Kingfisher Plc group
IT Director at Thorn EMI Plc, Rumbelows
Philippa Hird is an experienced HR professional specialising in
effective delivery of complex change. She was until recently Group
Human Resources Director of ITV. Prior to ITV, Philippa held
Personnel Director roles at Granada Plc and Granada Media Group.
Her current roles are:
Board member of Polka Theatre in Wimbledon; and Governor of
Wimbledon Chase Primary School.
Previously she has been:
Board member of Opportunity Now;
Board member of Skillset: and
Vice President of CIPD
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 and will provide valuable consistency for
the Board. He brings with him significant finance experience
having been Group Finance Director of HBOS plc and Chairman of
Insight Investment.
His current roles are:
Non-Executive director and audit committee chair of BT Group plc;
Non-Executive director and audit committee chair of Travelex Holdings;
Non-Executive director and audit committee chair at Resolution;
Trustee of Christian Aid; and
Director of Business in the Community.
Previously he has been:
CEO of UK Life Business at Zurich Financial Services;
a consulting actuary;
Chair of the ABI's Raising Standards Accreditation Scheme; and
a member of the DTI Operating and Financial Review Working Group.
Dame Sue Street DCB has had a long and distinguished Whitehall
career. She was the Permanent Secretary for the Department for
Culture, Media and Sport and prior to that held posts in the Home
Office, Serious Fraud Office and the Cabinet Office.
Her current roles are:
Strategic Advisor to Deloitte LLP;
Trustee of the Royal Opera House;
Trustee of the Windsor Leadership Trust;
Governor of the Royal Ballet; and
Association Member of BUPA.
Previously she has been:
Board member of the Whitehall and Industry Group;
a senior Management Consultant at Pricewaterhouse (Coopers);
Board member of the National School of Government; and
a governor of South Hampstead High School.
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.
Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
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