End of 'tail' as Customs finds new tax man

The agency, eager to counter criticisms that its tax professionals lack the levels of knowledge enjoyed by peers at the Inland Revenue, confirmed VAT expert and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Chris Tailby, into the role from 1 July.

Tailby told AccountancyAge.com, one of his main objectives was to forge closer contact with the accountancy profession.

He said: 'I see a great opportunity to put back into the public sector, what I have learned in private practice. I am looking forward to building relationships with professional bodies and firms.'

Tailby, 53, will join Customs on a three-year contract. He replaces Martin Brown who left to become director of Eurocustoms in Paris.