Post Office begins search for two postmasters to serve on board

Post Office has initiated an independent process to appoint two serving postmasters as its non-executive directors.

The move which will see postmasters sitting on the board of the Post Office for the first time is part of the measures announced by chief executive Nick Read to reset the network’s relationship with postmasters following the settlement in Horizon case.

The independent committee to select postmasters comprises James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, Shirine Khoury-Haq, CFO at the Co-op Group; and Jean Church, council member at the Institute of Directors.

Applications will be open for four weeks and require interested serving postmasters to submit a CV and a short personal statement. Postmasters will need to have a minimum three years’ experience to apply.

A shortlist of candidates will be put to a vote of postmasters in March and the new directors are due to start in April.

While the Post Office has earlier announced the creation of a single position for postmasters, the board and the government, later decided to increase the number of roles to two.

“Having two serving Postmasters on our Board sends the clearest signal yet of our determination to ensure Postmasters really are at the heart of our business, and this election is another vital milestone in resetting our relationship with postmasters,” Nick Read commented.

“The transparent and independent selection process, led by external industry experts, will ensure the board is able to benefit from the counsel and input of the most suitable candidates.”

The voting process will be overseen by Civica Elections services (formerly Electoral Reform Services), and Green Park consultants, specialists in board appointments, who will advise on best practice across the process.