Gill Aitken has been appointed as HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) general counsel, succeeding Anthony Inglese.

Inglese is retiring at the end of January after nearly six years as GC and more than 38 years in the Government Legal Service. He made national headliens in 2011 when he was made to swear an oath in Parliament as part of an inquiry into tax deals negotiated by HMRC with Vodafone and Goldman Sachs.

Aitken will take up the role from 1 February 2014. She is currently director general of legal services at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The role also sees her leading the legal team for the Department of Health, and for DWP's professional services.