John Paul Marks, the most senior civil servant at the Scottish Government, is to leave and become the new permanent secretary and chief executive at the UK’s HM Revenue and Customs.

Marks became permanent secretary to the Scottish Government in January, 2022, succeeding the highly controversial Leslie Evans.

The process to recruit Marks’ successor will commence shortly.

The UK Cabinet Office said in a statement: “The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has announced the appointment of John-Paul (JP) Marks as the new Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive at HM Revenue and Customs.

“JP is currently the Permanent Secretary for the Scottish Government.

“JP will replace Sir Jim Harra who will step down in April 2025.”

The UK Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray, 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.”

UK Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald said: “I would like to congratulate JP on his appointment. He brings vast experience to the role from his time as Permanent Secretary at the Scottish Government and from earlier Director General roles at DWP.

“JP is excellently placed to continue the transformation of HMRC, playing a vital role in delivering the Government’s Plan for Change and improving the experiences of taxpayers and businesses across the whole of the UK.”

Marks said: “It is a privilege to be appointed to lead HMRC. I look forward to supporting the Department’s vital work to collect the revenues which fund public services, and to working with the Board, colleagues and partners in the years ahead to deliver service modernisation and reform.

“I am grateful to the First Minister (of Scotland) 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.”

Marks joined the Scottish Government from the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) where he was Director General, Work and Health Services.

His other previous roles include Operations Director, Universal Credit Programme and Work Services Director at DWP, and Head of Corporate, International Relations at the UK Pensions Regulator.