Institute appoints new Chief Executive

Helen joins from CILEx Regulation Limited where she is currently Chief Executive, having previously been Chief Operating Officer at the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. She takes up her new role at CIOT on September 2nd, replacing Peter Fanning, who is retiring.

CIOT President Glyn Fullelove said:

“On behalf of CIOT Council I am delighted to announce the appointment of Helen Whiteman as the Institute’s new Chief Executive. She came through a very competitive selection process, and the panel was impressed by her ability to understand and implement the goals of an organisation such as the CIOT.

“The appointment of a new Chief Executive is an important moment for any organisation. The mission of the CIOT is to be the leading professional body in the UK for advisers dealing with all aspects of taxation. Council will work with Helen to set a strategy for the Institute to enable it to continue this mission taking into account forces such as pressure for regulation, the need to increase trust in the profession, increasing complexity in legislation, the demand for international services and qualifications, devolution and the new tax arrangements that brings; and existing goals such as improving our diversity and delivering services to members efficiently and cost-effectively.

“I look forward to welcoming Helen to the Institute and working with her and other colleagues to set and deliver this strategy.”

Helen Whiteman added:

“I am looking forward to taking up the role of CIOT Chief Executive at this exciting time.

“Key objectives for CIOT over the years ahead include further increasing the Institute’s international profile and dealing with challenges facing tax professionals such as greater automation and the spread of artificial intelligence.

“I look forward to working with Glyn and other Institute members and staff to achieve these goals and to ensure the Institute continues to be the leader for the UK tax profession.”

Glyn also paid tribute to current CIOT Chief Executive Peter Fanning, who retires in August:

“Peter’s contribution to the CIOT since he joined us in 2008 has been immense.

“In Peter’s 11 years at CIOT he has not just been a steady hand in sometimes turbulent times, he has taken the Institute to the next level, growing our membership, our profile and our influence. He has taken us through two office moves – each time to premises better equipped for our growing number of staff. He has embedded a professional approach at every level of the Institute’s operations, from exams to the branch structure. And he has overseen increasingly close relations with other bodies in the tax realm, recognising the extent of our common interests and how we can work together for the benefit of our members and students.

“In particular Peter has led the development of CIOT’s growing international links, working more closely with tax bodies elsewhere in the world which share CIOT’s values and standards, as well as establishing more overseas branches and overseeing the explosive growth of ADIT.

“On behalf of Council and the wider CIOT membership I thank Peter for his contribution to the Institute, and wish him a very happy retirement when it comes.”

Notes for editors

Helen Whiteman

Helen Whiteman is currently Chief Executive of CILEx Regulation Limited, a role she has held since 2015. She studied Law at De Montfort University, before undertaking a Masters in IT at the University of Warwick. After initially working in investment marketing and PR, then lecturing in law and e-business, she joined the legal field managing practice development and marketing for a law firm in Leicester. She joined CILEx in 2008 as Head of Corporate Affairs having served as Director of Member Services at LawNet. She became Chief Operating Officer at CILEx in 2012, and was responsible for overseeing CILEx’s membership, qualifications, journal, international and regulatory affairs functions. Helen became a volunteer trustee for legal charity, LawCare, in January 2019 and is a MHFA Mental Health First Aider.