Appointment of Chief Executive and Commissioner of Inland Revenue

The State Services Commissioner, Mark Prebble, announced today that Robert (Bob) Russell has been appointed to the position of Chief Executive and Commissioner of Inland Revenue. Bob Russell is presently the Deputy Commissioner, Service Delivery at Inland Revenue, a position he assumed in 2006.

Mark Prebble says that Inland Revenue is a large, complex and evolving organisation that is one of the State Services' highest performing agencies, contributing significantly to the economic and social wellbeing of New Zealanders.

"Bob Russell is a senior tax manager with the leadership, strategic, management and communication skills to lead Inland Revenue," Mark Prebble says.

Between 1998 and 2006, Mr Russell was the Assistant Commissioner, Atlantic Region in the Canada Revenue Agency and was responsible of the full range of Canada Revenue Agency operations within the Atlantic region. In this role he managed between 3,000 and 4,000 staff and an annual budget of $180 million.

Mr Russell has a broad range of interests with tertiary qualifications in engineering (BSc), urban and regional planning (MPl) and business administration (MBA). In 2006 he received the Public Service of Canada Award for management excellence.

Mark Prebble says Bob Russell has experience in dealing with key industry groups and taxpayer associations at the highest levels in Canada, including being the Canadian representative to the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators between 2000 and 2006.
"He brings to the role international experience and networks and I am confident his skills and abilities are transferable to the New Zealand context.
"Bob Russell will take over from Colin MacDonald, who has been the acting Commissioner and Chief Executive for Inland Revenue since David Butler resigned in March," Mark Prebble said.

Bob Russell will take up his appointment on 21 May 2007.

ENDS

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