Phil Pavitt has stepped down as HMRC’s CIO to join insurance giant Aviva as global director of IT transformation.
Mark Hall has taken over as CIO of HMRC, having worked as deputy CIO at the department for two years and director of IT services for three years.
Pavitt is expected to leave the department in January, and will remain in the role of general director of change at HMRC until then.
Under his role at Aviva Pavitt will be tasked with simplifying the firm’s IT services, and modernising and digitising its business.
An HMRC spokesman said: "Having completed a number of major transformations at HMRC, Phil indicated that he wished to return to his private sector career. We would like to thank Phil for his work at HMRC."
HMRC is one of the largest technology operations in Europe, processing one billion computer transactions per year. Since joining HMRC Pavitt has helped to reduce spending by 160m per year.
The department is currently responsible for the implementation of real-time information systems, crucial to the Department of Work and Pensions controversial Universal Credit project. The National Audit Office has warned that the time scales of RTI are challenging.
Pavitt joined HMRC as CIO in 2009. Prior to that he was CIO at Transport for London.
