Mr Clasper has been appointed following an open recruitment process, and with the agreement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

His role will be to strengthen HMRC's corporate governance and to provide oversight to the Executive Committee and Departmental Board.

In addition, he will play a key role for HMRC by engaging with the Department's many stakeholders.

He will take up the post on 1st August 2008, and will be involved in the selection of HMRC's first Chief Executive.

Alistair Darling, the Chancellor of the Exchequer commented:

"Appointing someone of Mike's calibre and experience is particularly important at this point in HMRC's development and I am delighted he has agreed to take on the role. Mike will bring the leadership and vision needed to deliver on HMRC's goals of providing an enhanced service to all of its customers across the UK."

Gus O'Donnell, the Cabinet Secretary added:

"I welcome Mike Clasper to this key role at the heart of Whitehall. It is terrific to bring him into Government and I look forward to working with him very closely. He will be crucial to the success of HMRC in the years to come and I have every confidence he will help the organisation meet the challenges ahead."

Mike Clasper concluded by observing that:

"HMRC plays a vital and unique role in the life of our country, its work touching every individual and business. I want to see HMRC in the vanguard of public service delivery, providing a top quality and reliable experience for all of its users. That is what those who work in HMRC want and I'm determined that working together we will achieve that goal."