New chair of Post Office Limited appointed
Tim Parker has been appointed as the new chair of Post Office Limited.
Mr Parker, the current chair of the National Trust, will lead the Board of Directors as the business continues with its transformation programme, supported by government funding. This will see the Post Office achieving further central cost efficiencies, increasing its revenues and undertaking the largest modernisation of the branch network in its history.
This will ensure the Post Office network can be financially sustainable for the long term, while delivering the government’s commitment to secure the future of 3,000 rural branches.
Business Minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe said:
Tim Parker brings a wealth of commercial experience and expertise, and I am delighted that he is taking up this role. The government is supporting the Post Office to modernise and become a successful commercial organisation, reducing its reliance on taxpayer subsidy. I look forward to working with Tim to continue that transformation.
I would also like to thank Alice Perkins for all her dedication, leadership and commitment over the last 4 years.
Tim Parker said:
I am delighted to be taking up this appointment. The Post Office provides a vital service to many people in over 11,500 locations up and down the country, and is one of Britain’s most trusted brands. I look forward to playing a role in achieving a successful and growing business whilst maintaining a clear social purpose.
Paula Vennells, Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, said:
I look forward to working closely with Tim as we continue the transformation of Post Office. We are making significant strides in achieving commercial sustainability and Tim’s experience and expertise will be a huge asset to everyone delivering the Post Office’s turnaround.
I would also like to thank Alice for the unremitting commitment and dedication she has shown during her highly successful 4 years helping to drive the Post Office forward. She hands over to Tim a confident business making clear progress and with the appetite to push harder still to complete its transformation.
Notes to editors:
- Tim Parker is currently chair of the National Trust and chair of Samsonite International. He has been Chief Executive Officer of Clarks, Kwik-Fit, the AA, and Samsonite. He has been chair of Channel Nine TV in Australia and the Autobar Group, Europe’s largest vending company. He has also served as a non-executive director on the boards of Legal & General, Alliance Boots, and Compass Group. He is also a director and owner of the British Pathé film archive.
- The appointment follows an open competition conducted under the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) guidelines.
- He will take up his post on 1 October 2015. He replaces Alice Perkins CB, who announced in January 2015 that she will step down on 31 July 2015. Neil McCausland, currently Senior Independent Director at Post Office Limited, will be the interim chair during the intervening period.
- Post Office Limited has an unrivalled network of over 11,500 branches across the UK, more than all the high street banks combined, and sits at the heart of communities across the country. More than 17 million customers and a third of SMEs visit its branches each week. It provides around 170 different services and products spanning mail services, financial services, government services, and telephony.