CIOT awards Honorary Fellowships
Leonard Beighton and Bob Dommett have been honoured for their contribution to the field of taxation by being awarded honorary fellowships by the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT).
CIOT President Vincent Oratore made the awards at the annual President’s Luncheon at the Dorchester Hotel in London today.
Vincent Oratore commented:
“It is a privilege to be able to recognise two people who have contributed so much to the world of taxation.
“Leonard Beighton had a distinguished career at the Treasury and Inland Revenue, but it is his work since he retired, fighting to make the tax and benefits systems work better for those on low incomes, that has really stood out. He is a leading member not just of the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group but of other charities too, as well as a valued adviser to parliamentarians.
“Bob Dommett joined the CIOT as Secretary General in 1995, just a year after the Institute received its Royal Charter. In the 16 years since, the size, strength, activities and stature of the Institute have grown considerably, with membership increasing by over 60%. During his time in office, members have been granted the right to use the much valued title of “Chartered Tax Adviser” and the designatory letters CTA.
“I am delighted to have been able to honour Leonard and Bob at our annual lunch today. The lunch was once again a tremendous success with leading figures from all areas of the tax world, including politicians from all the major parties, senior civil servants, economic commentators and thinkers, and many of the foremost tax practitioners in the profession.”
Notes to Editors
1) Leonard Beighton CB
Leonard Beighton is a leading member of the CIOT’s Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG), joining as one of the original volunteers in 1998. He has played a major role in some of LITRG’s key reports, including leading on Gift Aid reform. He has been the driving force behind the research done by Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) on tax and benefits for those on the lowest incomes. Leonard produced a report for the Social Justice Commission on the options for supporting marriage in the tax and benefits system. He served on the Tax Reform Commission and for several years has been a specialist adviser to the House of Lords Committee on the Finance Bill.
Leonard spent his professional career in the Treasury and latterly in the Inland Revenue, ending as Deputy Chairman of the Board (1992-1994). During his time at the Revenue he was responsible for introducing innovations such as the Adjudicator, and led on the work around the Scottish variable rate. Since retiring he has spent part of his time voluntarily on professional tax matters, but the majority of his time has been spent on a wide variety of church and charitable activities, both in the UK and for the developing world.
2) Bob Dommett
Bob Dommett has been Secretary General of the Chartered Institute of Taxation since 1995 and he retires this March.
Bob spent his career firstly at the Chartered Building Societies Institute, becoming Deputy Secretary and some years later a Council Member and Chairman of their Associateship Examination Board. He then became Chief Executive and Director of the Surrey Building Society. Bob was a volunteer founder member and Secretary of the Financial Sector Group of the Institute of Management Services. He also undertook volunteer work for the Civic Trust.
Between 1988 and 2009, Bob ran 33 marathons with the London ones alone raising over £32,000 for St John Ambulance since 1995.
3) Photographs from the annual lunch, including the awarding on the honorary fellowships, are available on request.
4) The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) is a charity and the leading professional body in the United Kingdom concerned solely with taxation. The CIOT’s primary purpose is to promote education and study of the administration and practice of taxation. One of the key aims is to achieve a better, more efficient, tax system for all affected by it – taxpayers, advisers and the authorities.
The CIOT’s 15,000 members have the practising title of ‘Chartered Tax Adviser’.
– ENDS –
George Crozier
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