Scotland’s most senior civil servant is leaving to become permanent secretary and chief executive at HM Revenue and Customs.
John-Paul (JP) Marks has been the permanent secretary to the Scottish Government for three years and will replace Sir Jim Harra who will step down from the tax office in April.
Treasury Secretary James Murray, said Mr Marks will focus on developing a strategy for HMRC “which progresses the government’s priorities for HMRC to reduce the tax gap, modernise and reform the tax system and improve customer service.”
Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald said Mr Marks “is excellently placed to continue the transformation of HMRC, playing a vital role in delivering the Government’s Plan for Change and improving the experiences of taxpayers and businesses across the whole of the UK.”
Mr Marks, who previously held the role of Director General at the Department for Work and Pensions, said: “It is a privilege to be appointed to lead HMRC. I look forward to supporting the department’s vital work to collect the revenues which fund public services, and to working with the board, colleagues and partners in the years ahead to deliver service modernisation and reform.
“I am grateful to the First Minister and his predecessors for the opportunity to serve as permanent secretary. I would like to pay tribute to the civil servants across the Scottish Government and thank our teams and partners for their leadership, professionalism and support.
“Over the next few months, I, along with my executive team, remain firmly focused on supporting the First Minister and delivering his programme for government.”
