WIREDGOV

Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford has today announced the appointment of the first Chief Executive and 5 non-executive board members of the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA).

The WRA has been set up to collect and manage devolved taxes from April next year. It will become a legal entity from next month, when the board will hold its first meeting.

Following a pre-appointment interview, Dyfed Alsop has been appointed as the first Chief Executive of the WRA until August 2019.

The following have been appointed to the board of the WRA:

• David Jones
• Lakshmi Narain
• Jocelyn Davies
• Dyfed Edwards
• Martin Warren

Earlier this year, the Finance Secretary confirmed that Kathryn Bishop will be the WRA’s first Chair.

The WRA will be the first non-ministerial department set up by the Welsh Government and will become operational in April 2018. Over the next 4 years, the WRA will collect more than £1bn of tax revenues.

Further information on the role of the WRA can be found on its new website: gov.wales/wra

Confirming the appointments, Professor Drakeford said:

“From next April, Wales will be responsible for collecting and managing our taxes when land transaction tax and landfill disposals tax are introduced.

“Significant work has been underway to prepare for the devolution of tax powers and the setting up of the Welsh Revenue Authority.

“I am pleased to confirm the appointment of Dyfed Alsop as the first Chief Executive of the WRA and 5 new board members, who will have the important task of overseeing its work. Dyfed and all board members bring a wealth of experience to their roles and together will play a key role in ensuring a smooth transition to tax powers.”

Welcoming today’s announcement, WRA Chair Kathryn Bishop said:

“With the formation of the WRA, Wales will take a large step forward in the journey of devolution, with responsibility for revenue generation as well as for public expenditure. The taxation revenue we collect from house-buyers and land fill operators will support the public services provided throughout Wales.

“We will deliver Welsh Ministers’ tax policy and follow the strategic direction set by them, but will be operationally independent. We will be an organisation which does what we say we will do – and we hope tax payers and citizens will find our services easy to use and efficient.”