Strathie steps down as HMRC chief exec

09 November 2011

HM Revenue & Customs chief executive and permanent secretary Dame Lesley Strathie has announced that she has had to quit her post due to ill health.

Dame Lesley was diagnosed with cancer in July this year. She had intended to return to work this autumn but because of deteriorating health has decided to step down to concentrate on her further treatment. She joined HMRC in November 2008 from Jobcentre Plus where she was also chief executive.

Civil service head Sir Gus O'Donnell said: "It is with huge sadness that I accept Lesley's decision to stand down as chief executive of HMRC. Over the last 40 years, Lesley has devoted her life to public service. She has been a wonderful role model for all civil servants, working her way from the bottom to the very top of the civil service. She has never shied away from the tough jobs, from creating Jobcentre Plus; transforming the welfare agenda; and more recently leading HMRC. I will miss Lesley enormously and am hugely grateful to her for her dedicated support, wise advice and personal friendship."

Dave Hartnett, permanent secretary for Tax, commented: "Lesley has achieved a great deal during her three years as chief executive of HMRC. She is a wonderful colleague and I have learnt a great deal from working so closely with her. She will be very much missed and the work she has driven forward has ensured our department is in a great shape for her successor to continue the transformation."