HMRC’s chief executive and first permanent secretary, Sir Jonathan Thompson, will step down in the autumn.

He will take on a new role as chief executive of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC).

Sir Jonathan joined HMRC in April 2016 and led the organisation through a period of change and significant performance improvements, including: a general downward trend in the tax gap; the introduction of Making Tax Digital; and opening HMRC’s first regional centre with two more due this year.

Sir Jonathan, along with the other new members of the FRC leadership team, will steer the organisation through its transfor...