It is not common for a person within a Revenue Authority to work in both the Customs and Tax disciplines. It is even more rare for such a person to excel in both. I am glad and most fortunate to know and have worked for such a person – who under duress and fortitude has scaled great heights in her career.

Just recently she was nominated and included to celebrate the achievements of women of the past and present who have contributed to and shaped the future of women working in international tax across the profession. The Woman of IFA Network (WIN) representatives of the International Fiscal Association (IFA) UK branch called upon the global WIN network to identify and recognise the leading women in their regions and local branches. A profile book and the photo montage, which it supports, was prepared in September 2019 to mark this occasion and to celebrate the contribution of women to international tax discourse and policy development in all fields of the profession. Refer to page 61 for Varsha’s profile.

Varsha Singh

Deputy Head of the Global Relations and Development Division, OECD, South Africa.

Recognised for her contribution to international tax discourse through advocacy and encouragement of developing countries perspectives in the development and implementation of global tax policy.

Varsha Singh is the Deputy Head of the Global Relations and Development Division at the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration. Her primary role is to encourage developing countries perspectives in the development and implementation of OECD standards and guidelines in the tax area, and to provide assistance to developing countries to strengthen their tax systems. Ms Singh also oversees the multilateral Global Relations Programme, which delivers over 50 seminars annually through six Multilateral Tax Centres.

Before joining the OECD, Varsha worked at the South African Revenue Service (SARS) for over 22 years and has extensive experience in a range of Tax, Customs and IT matters. She previously occupied the position of Head of International Relations at SARS. In that capacity, Varsha played a pivotal role in the establishment of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF)and as the head of the interim secretariat of ATAF, also worked closely with other Regional and International Organisations, particularly in the area of capacity building. Varsha holds Masters degrees in Business Administration, International Customs Law and Administration and completed the Women in Leadership Programme with Henley Business School.