The composition of the Revenue Scotland board was announced on 31 December 2014, ahead of it being formally established as a non-ministerial department on 1 January 2015.

The new board will be chaired by Dr Keith Nicholson, a scientist and company director, and fellow board members include John Whiting, tax director of the UK’s Office of Tax Simplification (OTS); Jane Ryder, a solicitor specialising in corporate governance and regulation across the public, private and third sectors; Lynn Bradley, an accountant who was formerly chair of both CIPFA in Scotland and the Local Authority Accounts Scotland Advisory Committee; and Ian Tait, director of investment and hydro nation at the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (the Commission).

Chair Keith Nicholson currently runs an independent consultancy providing strategic advisory services in cyber security, IT and telecommunications technology. His business and specialist background in transactional websites, cyber security and technology will be of particular value according to Revenue Scotland.

Deputy first minister John Swinney said: ‘The appointment of the board and Revenue Scotland’s new status as a non-ministerial department are important milestones as it prepares to administer Scotland’s devolved taxes, and builds on the substantial work taking place as Revenue Scotland prepares to go live on 1 April [2015].

‘The appointment of Dr Nicholson and the rest of the board enhances the significant expertise of those working at Revenue Scotland, and I am confident they are on track to administer Scotland’s devolved taxes.’

More details are available at https://www.revenue.scot/who-we-are/revenue-scotland-board