HMRC IT chief to return to the private sector

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed today that its Chief Digital and Information Officer, Mark Dearnley, is to leave the Department in September, when his contract expires.

Mr Dearnley, who joined HMRC in October 2013, said: “I joined HMRC with the remit to transform its IT, create new digital services for customers and oversee the smooth transition from the £800 million a year Aspire IT contract.

“We have replaced our outdated internal IT, launched digital tax accounts for individuals and businesses, and have successfully concluded negotiations to dismantle the Aspire IT contract, taking more direct control of the design and delivery of our digital technology services at huge cost savings for HMRC.

“We have also built one of the strongest digital technology teams in the world and I am confident that they will continue to deliver HMRC’s IT transformation at pace.

“I have decided to return to the private sector after three fantastic years, to take on a new challenge.”

Jon Thompson, HMRC Chief Executive, said: “Mark brought incredible energy, enthusiasm and commitment to his role, delivering everything asked of him at impressive pace.”

Mike Potter, HMRC’s Director of Digital Transformation, will lead the CDIO Group in the interim, and HMRC will begin a fair and open competition for a new Chief Digital and Information Officer very shortly.

Notes to Editors

1.  Mark Dearnley joined HMRC from Vodafone on a three-year fixed term contract in October 2013.

2.  Mike Potter joined HMRC in November 2014 as Director of Digital Transformation, and has led the design and delivery of digital tax accounts for customers. Prior to HMRC, he was Director of Business Transformation at NHS Blood and Transplant, and Director of Programmes and Projects at the Environment Agency. Prior to joining the Civil Service in 2007, Mike worked in various roles in the private sector, including several years at Boots.

3.  HMRC’s Flickr channel: www.flickr.com/hmrcgovuk

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