Dave Hartnett CB - Chair of Trust

A lifelong practising Catholic, Dave Hartnett became a trustee in August 2023 and was elected chair in November. He spent most of his working life in the UK tax administration, becoming the Permanent Secretary for Tax, the most senior tax official, and retiring in 2012. He worked closely with UK government Ministers and foreign governments, played a leading role in international bodies, led the UK’s efforts to promote good tax compliance and eliminate tax avoidance, and was at the forefront of many leadership and management initiatives.

After retiring from HMRC, Dave became a governor of St Mary’s University, Twickenham, becoming interim Vice Chancellor in the early months of the Pandemic, which required significant change to protect students, staff, and the university. He developed the University’s first strategic plan and a blueprint for a modernised School of Education. From 2012-2020, he was an adviser to the global board of HSBC and remains a senior expert undertaking projects for the International Monetary Fund to improve tax administration in less developed countries, particularly Ukraine and in Africa.

While a governor of Birmingham University, Dave chaired the audit committee, he has also been chair of governors of two Catholic primary schools, and chaired the John Paul II Foundation for Sport, which sought through sport to enable young and old people to develop their full potential.