Hartnett stamps authority on HMRC with board changes

The senior management structure at HM Revenue & Customs has been shaken up by acting chairman Dave Hartnett in an effort to establish clear core responsibilities for board members.

Hartnett himself has taken personal responsibility for the controversial areas of security, business continuity and governance. Melanie Dawes will lead business tax, Bernadette Kenny will head personal tax, Mike Hanson will be responsible for benefits and credits and Mike Eland will take control of enforcement and compliance.

Hartnett has also seconded Robin Roberts from Egon Zehdner as an interim chief people officer. Roberts will hold the role for six months and help appoint a permanent candidate.

Chief operating officer Steve Lamey, meanwhile, will take on accountability the department's change programme, overall performance and business strategy.

The moves, a reaction to the Poynter Review on HMRC's loss of child benefit data and the Cabinet Office's Capability Review, could also be seen as Hartnett stamping his authority on HMRC.

Further reading:

Poynter: HMRC needs new structure

Poynter refuses to name names