Office of Tax Simplification appoints new Chair
Kathryn Cearns OBE succeeds Angela Knight CBE from March 18 this year when she takes on the role
Kathryn Cearns OBE has been announced as the new Chair of the Office of Tax Simplification.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond made the announcement on February 26, though Kathryn Cearns will take over from Angela Knight CBE next month.
She will chair the OTS board and will lead the OTS as it shapes its strategy and priorities. Cearns will direct engagement with HM Treasury, HMRC, ministers and Parliament.
The Office of Tax Simplification acts as the government’s adviser on simplifying the UK tax system for both businesses and individual taxpayers.
Cearns joins the OTS with extensive senior level experience in both the public and private sectors, notably as Chair of the Financial Reporting Advisory Board to HM Treasury from 2010 to 2016 and Chair of ICAEW Financial Reporting Committee from 2008 to 2017.
She said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to help to develop a tax system in the UK that is straightforward for taxpayers while remaining effective and fit for purpose for the 21st century.”
Mel Stride, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “We want to ensure our tax system is as simple as possible for everyone, and Kathryn Cearns will play a vital role in helping meet that commitment.
“Her impressive track-record of leadership in the public and private sectors and strong vision made her the ideal candidate to steer the OTS through the next phase of its work.
“I would like to thank Angela Knight for her contribution to the OTS over the past 3 years. She leaves having established the OTS as a permanent office, acting as an independent voice providing beneficial advice.”
