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The Post Office says the move demonstrates its “determination to create a genuine” two-way partnership with its postmasters.
In addition, a consultation will also be launched in the autumn asking how postmasters and those commercial partners who operate multiple post office branches want to be involved in the development and execution of business decisions. This will include options to establish regional or thematic forums that could advise and influence business decisions.
Nick Read, chief executive at the Post Office, said: “Having a serving postmaster on our board sends the clearest signal yet of our determination to put postmasters at the forefront of our business, and reset our relationship.
“We also want postmasters to advise and influence business decisions, ensuring we shape the future of the Post Office together. Our consultation will ensure every postmaster has the chance for their views to be heard, and help us get this right.”
The news follows The Post Office’s regional ‘Stronger Together’ events in July where Read met with hundreds of postmasters from all parts of the UK to discuss the retailer’s performance during the Covid-19 pandemic and its future growth strategy.
Between mid-March and June, the ‘lockdown’ period of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Post Office was able to keep 90% of its branches open. Postmasters received guaranteed remuneration in April and May and a top-up in variable remuneration in June. Post Office also supplied all 11,500 branches with Perspex screens, gloves, sanitisers, and social distancing markings and posters.
