Appointment details

Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Reform & Modernisation Committee

Summary

• Organisation: HMRC Departmental Board
• Sponsor department: HM Revenue & Customs
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Public Administration
• Skills: Business, Technology / Digital, Regulation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 20 day(s) per annum
• Remuneration: £20,000 per annum
• Length of term: 3 years
• Application deadline: 11:59pm on 23 April 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   27 March 2025

2. Application deadline

   11:59pm on 23 April 2025

3. Sifting date

   14 May 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   6 June 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction

The HMRC Board is chaired by the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and oversees the department’s performance, delivery and strategy. It provides challenge and advice on HMRC strategy, performance, risk and capability. ​

The Board is advisory and does not have a role in operational decision-making, tax policy or individual taxpayer matters.​ ​

Non-executive directors use their skills and personal experience to contribute to the work of the Board. They support the Minister, the Chief Executive and the executive in their leadership of the Department. ​

Non-executives exercise their role through influence, scrutiny, challenge and advice about delivery and transformation. ​

Non-executives also chair or otherwise participate in one or more sub-committees of the Board as needed to support the delivery of HMRC’s delivery and organisational priorities. ​

We are looking for a non-executive director to join the HMRC Board with additional responsibility as Chair of the Reform and Modernisation Committee. 

Appointment description

Non-Executives are expected to contribute to the work of HMRC in the following areas:​

• Independence: provide independent perspective and assurance, including advice to the Permanent Secretaries, on the capability of the Department.​
• Strategy: constructively challenge and contribute to the development of strategy and business planning, including the setting of key objectives and targets.​
• Performance: scrutinise the performance of the organisation in meeting its goals and objectives and monitor the reporting of performance and impact.​​
• People: provide advice and support to the Department on strategic people policies, people processes, workforce planning and talent management. ​​
• ​Governance: ensure that governance, internal control and risk management systems are effective and capable of delivering relevant, accurate and timely management and financial information to the Board.​​
• ​Connect: connect the Department to people and organisations who can provide different perspectives, opinions and expertise which will assist in furthering the business of the Department. Participate in the cross government non-executive network and share best practice so that HMRC can learn from the experiences of comparable organisations.​

​The Non-Executive Directors will​​:

• adhere to the ethical standards outlined in the Seven Principles of Public Life​​
• attend the meetings of the Audit & Risk Committee, contributing constructively across the full range of the business of the Audit & Risk Committee​
• act as a sounding board and critical friend to the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive​​
• support and challenge other members of the executive team on risk management, programme management and the implementation of the department’s business plan​​
• scrutinise, challenge and support the department’s performance in relation to its objectives, commitments and strategy​​
• advise on the effectiveness of plans and programme management arrangements.

The Reform and Modernisation committee is a new subcommittee of the HMRC Board,​

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This is an exciting time to join the committee as it agrees its priorities to support HMRC with its major transformation to modernise services for customers. ​​

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As a subcommittee of the HMRC Board the committee’s purpose will be to monitor HMRC’s efforts to drive tax and customs system reform and build departmental technology and data foundations to create easier, more compliant automated and digital self-service for customers and intermediaries. ​​

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The Committee will also make recommendations on any additional reforms to modernise and digitalise services.​

Person specification

Essential criteria

Candidates must be able to demonstrate, and will be assessed against, the following experience:​

• A strong track record of successfully implementing changes in service delivery within the private, public or voluntary sectors which significantly impacts an organisation’s operational effectiveness and efficiency.​
• Knowledge and experience of how emerging technology, including artificial intelligence, can add further value to the delivery of organisational outcomes. ​
• Experience of working in a digital-focussed customer or service-orientated environment. In addition, all candidates must be able to demonstrate:​

In addition, all candidates must be able to demonstrate:

• Knowledge: a clear understanding of the work, priorities and challenges of the organisation and the context within which it operates. ​
• Relationship Building: ability to build strong stakeholder relationships, including with Ministers and Senior Government officials and external stakeholders. ​
• Communication: strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, accept challenge and constructively challenge others in discussions with clarity and respect.​
• Judgement: effective decision-making skills with the ability to critically analyse a wide range of information to make clear and objective evidence-based recommendations to support the delivery of the organisation's objectives. ​
• Collaboration: ability to work closely with the executive board and other key stakeholders, providing support, constructive challenge and assurance as appropriate.​

Application and selection process

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to provide:

1. A  Curriculum Vitae setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. Please include evidence from your career which best demonstrates your qualifications for the appointment;​

2. A supporting statement (2 pages maximum) setting out how you meet the criteria for appointment, as set out in the person specification for the role;

3. Information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues;

4. Diversity monitoring information. This allows us to see if there are any unfair barriers to becoming a public appointee and whether there are any changes that we could make to encourage a more diverse field to apply. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be used as part of the selection process and will not be seen by the interview panel;

5. Disability Confident – please state if you want to be considered for the disability confident scheme;

6. Reasonable adjustments - requests for reasonable adjustments that you would like to the application process (if applicable);

Please provide the information at points 3-6 above on the relevant form provided by Nurole who are managing this campaign on behalf of HMRC (see contact details below).

The Selection Panel reserves the right to only consider applications that contain all of the elements listed above, and that arrive before the published deadline for applications.

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

Longlist / Shortlist:

The panel will select those demonstrating the best fit with the role, considering the evidence you provide against the criteria set out in the Person Specification. All longlisted applicants will have a preliminary interview with Nurole, the outcome of which will be shared with the panel who will reconvene to confirm a final interview shortlist.​

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Interviews: ​

Interviews are expected to be held in person in 100 Parliament Street, London, on 29th May and 4th and 6th June 2025. ​

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Offer​:

Once all interviews are completed, the interview panel chair will make recommendations to HMRC’s Commissioners, with final approval from No.10. Appointments will be made shortly thereafter. All candidates will be informed of the outcome.​

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Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

The selection panel comprises:​​

• Jayne Anne Gadhia, Lead non-executive, HMRC​
• John Paul Marks, First Permanent Secretary​
• Ashley Machin, Lead non-executive, Department for Work and Pensions

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP)  include a departmental official and an independent member. This is a non-board member position.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before advising the appropriate minister on which candidates they find appointable. 

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact edward.elliott@nurole.com.​ 

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional SC security clearance is also be required for certain roles. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

All appointments are conditional upon completing a Tax Probity Check. Candidates are expected to have conducted their own tax affairs with probity. Tax probity checks are carried out to minimise the risk that prospective candidates have behaved in ways likely to bring the tax system into disrepute and to protect the integrity of HMRC.​

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Candidates will need to provide necessary personal information to allow HMRC to conduct the check. Further details are provided if shortlisted for interview. All information is dealt with in strictest confidence. ​

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Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘essential criteria', we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert. When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or ten years in any one post. 

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. However these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.   

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

Nurole will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact Nigel Dominey, HMRC Executive Resourcing team, in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at nigel.dominey@hmrc.gov.uk. HMRC will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

We ask that you do NOT send us any information that can identify children or any of your Sensitive Personal Data (racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning health or sex life and sexual orientation, genetic and / or biometric data) in your CV and application documentation. ​

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Following this notice, any inclusion of your Sensitive Personal Data in your CV / application documentation will be understood by us as your express consent to process this information going forward. Please also remember to not mention anyone’s information or details (e.g., referees) who have not previously agreed to their inclusion. 

Contact details

This competition is being undertaken and managed by Nurole on behalf of HMRC. 

Completed applications should be submitted via the link provided below. Should you encounter any issues with your application or would like further information on the role and a copy of the candidate pack, please contact: edward.elliott@nurole.com.​ 

Attachments

• HMRC Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Reform & Modernisation Committee Candidate Pack