John-Paul Marks to exit Scottish Government for HMRC

Scotland's most senior civil servant is to quit his post in the new year, it has been announced.

John-Paul Marks, currently permanent secretary to the Scottish Government, has been named as the incoming head of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Marks, known as JP, will take up the role of permanent secretary and chief executive at HMRC after Sir Jim Harra steps down in April.

The news was announced by James Murray, the exchequer secretary to the Treasury, who said: "I am delighted JP has been chosen as HMRC’s new permanent secretary and I look forward to working with him on developing a strategy for HMRC which progresses the government’s priorities for HMRC to reduce the tax gap, modernise and reform the tax system and improve customer service.

"I want to add my thanks to Sir Jim Harra for his years of public service and wish him all the very best for the future."

The appointment follows an external recruitment contest overseen by the independent Civil Service Commission. 

Work to recruit a successor to Marks will "commence shortly".

Marks called his new appointment "a privilege" and said he would work to "deliver service modernisation and reform". 

He has held since current role since January 2022, working briefly for Nicola Sturgeon and then for her successor Humza Yousaf, before John Swinney became first minister in May this year.

On leaving his current post, Marks said: "I am grateful to the first minister and his predecessors for the opportunity to serve as permanent secretary. 

"I would like to pay tribute to the civil servants across the Scottish Government and thank our teams and partners for their leadership, professionalism and support. 

"Over the next few months, I, along with my executive team, remain firmly focused on supporting the first minister and delivering his Programme for Government."