Enter the world of Ms. Veronique Herminie, a remarkable figure at the forefront of the tax and leadership world. As Chair of the ATAF Women in Tax Network, Ms. Herminie’s journey is one of inspiration and innovation. From her early days as a chartered accountant to her key role today, she has demonstrated unwavering dedication and tireless determination. In this exclusive interview, Ms. Herminie invites us to delve into her wealth of experience, offers in-depth insights and shares her aspirations to empower women in the dynamic tax field.

Can you tell us about your background and experience in tax and how you came to get involved with ATAF and the Women In Tax Network?

In 1996, I began my journey to becoming a Certified Chartered Accountant with ACCA, where I also explored tax-related issues and developed my interest in tax. In June 2000, I joined the Tax Department of the Ministry of Finance, rising from Principal Tax Officer to Director of Corporate Tax. In August 2006, I moved to a government position as Principal Secretary for Investment and Industry, but continued to deal with tax matters as an observer in international tax treaty negotiations, and in 2012, I became Chairman of the Tax Revenue Tribunal. In May 2019, I was appointed Commissioner General of the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC). In late 2020, I participated in discussions on the launch of the ATAF Women in Tax Network, and in March 2021, I became one of its founding members. In January 2023, I resigned from the SRC and established VHS Business Consultancy, which provides business and tax consultancy. I remained on the Board as a founding member representing the private sector and was elected Chair in November 2023.

What inspired you to take on the role of Chair of the ATAF Women In Tax Network and what goals or initiatives do you hope to achieve during your term?

Having been involved in its founding, I was inspired to take on the role of Chair of the ATAF Women In Tax Network because of its potential to positively impact the professional lives of women in Africa interested in tax and leadership. My aim is to encourage the active participation of African women in socio-economic development and tax administration through empowerment programs, support and mentoring. By raising awareness and providing guidance, we can help women set career goals, strive for higher positions and find professional fulfillment. How do you balance your responsibilities as Chair of the Women In Tax Network with your other professional commitments and what motivates you to continue to champion this cause?

What inspired you to take on the role of Chair of the ATAF Women In Tax Network and what goals or initiatives do you hope to achieve during your term?

Having been involved in its founding, I was inspired to take on the role of Chair of the ATAF Women In Tax Network because of its potential to positively impact the professional lives of women in Africa interested in tax and leadership. I would like to

Promote the active participation of African women in socio-economic development and fiscal administration through empowerment programs, support and mentoring.

By raising awareness and providing counseling, we can help women set career goals, strive for higher positions and find professional fulfillment.

How do you balance your responsibilities as Chair of the Women In Tax Network with your other professional commitments and what motivates you to continue to support this cause?

I balance my role as Chair of the Women In Tax Network with my other professional commitments by seeing each responsibility as an opportunity to

continuous learning. Although I hold various positions such as CEO of the Taylor Smith Naval Services Limited group of companies and Independent Non-Executive Director at ABSA Bank Seychelles Limited, I find it very important to share my experiences and knowledge with others. Mentoring is my passion and I believe in fostering a culture of learning and growth within my teams. My motivation to champion this cause comes from the support I have received throughout my career, especially from mentors who generously shared their knowledge and guided me. I want to pay this forward by inspiring and encouraging other women, which is why I actively participate in AWITN’s mentorship programme as a mentor. As a wife and mother of two young professionals, I believe that those of us who can provide guidance should do our utmost to encourage and support the younger generation to be their best, no matter what challenges life throws at them.

How do you perceive the current situation for women in tax and what challenges and opportunities do you see for female professionals in this sector?

The current situation for women in tax presents both challenges and opportunities. Women bring valuable qualities such as team spirit, inclusiveness and empathy that can improve relationships with taxpayers and increase compliance. However, balancing professional duties with personal roles as wife, mother and breadwinner can be demanding and impact work-life balance. Diversity, including gender diversity, is critical for tax administrations to develop comprehensive strategies and innovative solutions. However, prejudices and biases persist in this male-dominated field, so women need to be resilient and well prepared for their roles. Mentoring programs and ongoing training can help women overcome these challenges and succeed in the tax profession.

What strategies or initiatives are you implementing as Chair to promote diversity, inclusivity and empowerment within the tax profession, particularly for women?

As Chair, I intend to work closely with the other members of the Board and the Secretariat to implement strategies to promote diversity, inclusivity and empowerment within the tax profession, particularly for women. From my experience in a tax administration where women make up the majority of the workforce and hold key leadership positions, I recognise the importance of gender-neutral recruitment and training policies. To further promote diversity and inclusivity, I advocate for training opportunities offered by organisations such as ATAF that focus on enhancing women’s skills for leadership roles. In addition, I support initiatives such as short-term secondments between tax administrations or departments and internal mentoring programmes to encourage women’s professional growth and development. In addition, we should continue to celebrate and highlight female leaders in the tax administration through our website, social media platforms and LinkedIn and showcase their achievements and contributions to inspire others.