Tatton to head Valuation Office Agency

Melissa Tatton has been appointed to head the Valuation Office Agency. Tatton, who was previously director for individuals and small business compliance in 2014, and received a CBE in 2016, will lead the executive agency of HM Revenue and Customs responsible for providing the government with valuation and property advice needed to support taxation and benefits. Current VOA chief executive Penny Ciniewic has been made director general for customer compliance at HMRC. On 4 September Tatton will take the helm of an organisation under increasing pressure to reform. The recent revaluation of business rates, which came into effect on 1 April, has left many businesses with what they describe as crippling increases in taxation. Mike Cherry, national chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “The government’s new business rates appeal system has proven to be a total shambles. Ministers promised that the check, challenge, appeal platform would simplify the process of establishing fair business rates bills following April’s delayed revaluation. In fact, the opposite is true. “We urge the new head of the VOA to publish data on how many businesses have successfully lodged a check, challenge or appeal across England. Equally, we need to see the government commit to a timeline for improvements to this excessively bureaucratic and cumbersome platform.” Jerry Schurder, head of business rates at Gerald Eve, said: “We are over three months on from ‘check, challenge, appeal’ being introduced, and it is clear that ratepayers’ worst fears have been realised. As predicted by many during the consultation phase, the new system is cumbersome, bureaucratic and unfit for purpose.” Jon Thompson, HMRC chief executive, said: “I look forward to Melissa joining the executive committee, and to becoming a valued member of the leadership team.” To send feedback, e-mail alex.peace@egi.co.uk or tweet @egalexpeace or @estatesgazette