The Institute of Telecommunications Professionals

Sir David Varney, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Service Transformation

Sir David joined Shell in 1968 after graduating from the University of Surrey with a degree in Chemistry. Sir David gained an MBA at Manchester Business School in 1971. Returning to Shell, he worked in Australia, Holland and Sweden.

In 1987 he was appointed Chief Executive of Swedish Shell. In 1990, he was appointed head of Marketing in Shell International in London. In 1992, he was appointed a Managing Director of Shell UK responsible for the oil products business. In 1995, he was appointed Head of Shell Oil Products Europe. In 1996, Sir David left Shell and became Chief Executive of BG Group (previously British Gas). Sir David left BG in 2000. In 2001, Sir David was appointed Executive Chairman of MMO2.

Sir David chaired Business in the Community from 2002 to 2004. In 2004, Sir David was appointed Chairman of HM Revenue and Customs. He left that post in August 2006 in order to advise the Chancellor on the opportunities for transforming the delivery of public services in the UK. He has also conducted reviews into the relationship between HMRC and large business and the corporation tax rate in Northern Ireland.

Sir David was President of the Chartered Institute of Management for 2005/2006. Sir David is currently the Prime Minister's Adviser on Public Service Transformation. He is a non-executive Director on the Civil Service Steering Board.

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