Mr Noroozi, who joined PwC as a partner in its financial advisory business last week, has revealed on LinkedIn that he was due to join the firm earlier, until a medical check-up saw him require immediate hospitalisation.
“Pursuant to PwC requirements, I underwent a medical exam on 13 December. This led to further tests, immediate hospitalisation and a quad by-pass heart operation. I am now recovering well,” said Mr Noroozi.
“I had no symptoms nor family history and kept reasonably fit. However, as the cardiologist told me, I could have just dropped dead.”
In the online post, Mr Noroozi said he provided the update to explain his withdrawal from all public engagements since 14 December 2018, and to encourage employers to insist on regular check-ups for their employees.
Mr Noroozi departed his role as IGT on 6 November 2018 after 10 years at the helm, with no new replacement named to date. Deputy IGT Andrew McLoughlin has been appointed as acting IGT in the meantime.
During his tenure as IGT, Mr Noroozi oversaw a four-fold growth of his office and handled close to 8,000 complaints from a range of tax professionals and taxpayers including vulnerable individuals and small businesses.
