Two women are thought to have joined the race to become the new chief executive of HM Revenue & Customs, a civil service expert has told Accountancy Age.

Alexis Cleveland, director-general for transformational government and head of Cabinet Office management and Lesley Strathie, chief executive of Jobcentre Plus are said to be in the running for the post, which is taking an ‘unconscionably long time to fill,’ according to the source.

HMRC has undergone a boardroom overhaul after the lost data discs issues last year, which saw chairman Paul Gray resign.

Director general Dave Hartnett is still acting chairman before Mike Clasper’s take over tomorrow. Hartnett is unlikely to want the chief executive’s role ­ though he has not ruled himself out of the running.

Steve Lamey, HMRC’s former IT chief, is believed to be favourite to land the job, though Cleveland’s experience in providing greater clarity to public sector depart-
ments and Strathie’s leadership of Jobcentre Plus could count in
their favour.

When Clasper takes up his post, he will be closely involved in the selection of the chief executive, the Cabinet Office said.