Lesley Strathie steps down as HMRC boss

Dame Lesley Strathie has stepped down as chief executive and permanent secretary of HM Revenue & Customs, due to ill health. Diagnosed with cancer in July, Strathie had intended to return to work this autumn but deteriorating health forced her decision to step down to concentrate on further treatment. She started her civil service career as an administrative assistant in 1971 and worked her way up, joining HMRC in November 2008 from Jobcentre Plus where she was chief executive. Sir Gus O'Donnell, head of the civil service, said she was a role model to all civil servants and he accepted her decision with "huge sadness". "Over the last 40 years, Lesley has devoted her life to public service," he said. "She has been a wonderful role model for all civil servants, working her way from the bottom to the very top. "She has never shied away from the tough jobs – from creating Jobcentre Plus, transforming the welfare agenda and more recently leading HMRC. Alongside this, she has made a significant contribution to the wider civil service through her role as head of profession for operational delivery and as a key member of several cross-government groups." Other colleagues also paid tribute to her work and wished her the best for the future. The exchequer secretary, David Gauke, said Strathie had performed one of the most important and challenging roles in Whitehall with great skill, dedication and professionalism, while Mike Clasper, non-executive chair, described Strathie as a "truly inspirational leader". He said Strathie had built a strong leadership team who were well placed to lead HMRC and support a new chief executive. HMRC said arrangements to appoint a successor will be announced shortly.