INLAND REVENUE

27 Feb 2004 04:45 PM

After nearly seven years in post, Sir Nicholas Montagu will retire as Chairman of Inland Revenue on 19 March 2004.

The Prime Minister and the Chancellor today announced that Ann Chant, Deputy Chairman and Director General, Strategic Service Delivery, at the Inland Revenue, will take over as Acting Chairman.

Commenting, the Chancellor said:

"I am most grateful to Nick Montagu for his contribution as head of the Inland Revenue over the past seven years. Under his strong leadership, the Department has played a very important part in supporting and delivering the Government's agenda.

"I am delighted that Ann Chant, who has an excellent track record as a manager of key public services, is taking over."

Notes for Editors

1. Sir Nicholas Montagu KCB, 59, was appointed Chairman of the Inland Revenue in June 1997. He started his career in the Department of Health and Social Security in 1974, and worked in the Department of Transport and then the Cabinet Office where he headed the Economic and Domestic Secretariat.

2. Ann Chant CB is currently Deputy Chairman and Director General, Strategic Service Delivery, at the Inland Revenue. Her civil service career started when she joined the National Assistance Board in 1963. She became Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency in 1991 and of the Child Support Agency from 1994-1997. After a spell at the former Lord Chancellor's Department, she took up her role at the Revenue in January 2000.

3. As with all appointments at this level, Ann's appointment to post was approved by the Prime Minister following consideration from the Senior Appointments Selection Committee, chaired by Sir Andrew Turnbull, the Cabinet Secretary.

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