The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has appointed Sir Jim Harra to take up the roles of Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Governance, Nominations and Remuneration Committee.
Jim was previously a Permanent Secretary in the Civil Service, retiring in April 2025 after almost 41 years in HM Revenue & Customs, including over five years as Chief Executive of the tax department. During his time as Chief Executive, Jim implemented a digital strategy to modernise the tax system, improve the customer experience and tax compliance, and reduce costs. He was Civil Service Champion for tackling workplace bullying and for LGBT+ inclusion.
Speaking of his appointment, Jim said: “I've been a long-time follower of RNIB's work and am thrilled to be joining the charity as its new Vice Chair. Building a society which has inclusivity at its core has been a lifetime passion of mine. RNIB's commitment to creating a more accessible world really resonated with me and I'm excited to have the opportunity of working alongside this fantastic organisation as we continue to break down societal barriers which currently prevent people with sight loss from living their best lives."
Sir Jim replaces Sir Martin Davidson, who is stepping down after serving as RNIB’s Vice Chair for six years.
Anna Tylor, RNIB’s Chair of Trustees, said: "Anna Tylor, RNIB’s Chair of Trustees, said: "RNIB launched its new strategy last year, and Jim will play a crucial part in ensuring we push towards and achieve our goals. We're thrilled that he's agreed to join us as Vice Chair to ensure strong governance.”
