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Post Office chief executive Nick Read steps down

Post Office chief executive Nick Read steps down
Nick Read

The Post Office has on Wednesday announced that Nick Read has decided to step down as chief executive on 15 March 2025.

Read was appointed CEO in September 2019, with a remit to modernise Post Office.


In November 2019, he led the settlement with the group litigation claimants in the Horizon case, beginning the journey to address the wrongs of the past and to reset the relationship with postmasters.

Post Office said he championed the appointment of two serving postmasters to the board and focused on increasing postmaster remuneration, investing in training, expanding field teams and supporting postmasters as part of a broader initiative to place postmasters at the heart of organisation.

“It has been a great privilege to work with colleagues and postmasters during the past five years in what has been an extraordinarily challenging time for the business and for postmasters,” Read said.

“There remains much to be done for this great UK institution but the journey to reset the relationship with postmasters is well underway and our work to support justice and redress for postmasters will continue.”

The 2019 settlement paved the way for redress for postmasters impacted by the Horizon scandal, leading to government legislation to exonerate those wrongly convicted.

Read welcomed the opportunity to provide evidence on behalf of the Post Office, and in a personal capacity, during phase seven of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry.

The business is expected to announce the process for the appointment of a new group chief executive in due course, with Read committing to ensure a smooth and orderly transition. In the intervening period, Neil Brocklehurst will serve as acting chief executive, managing the business on a day-to-day basis while Read is focused on the Inquiry.

Nigel Railton, interim chair of Post Office, said: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Nick for his commitment and hard work in leading the business over the past five years. It has been a challenging period for the Post Office and its postmasters, and Nick has been instrumental in navigating the business through this while beginning the important process of cultural change. We wish him all the best for his future endeavours.”

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Independent retailers are demanding tougher police action, more bobbies on the beat and harsher punishments as shoplifting levels reach an all-time high, a new survey reveals.

A whopping ninety-one per cent of respondents to a survey conducted by the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) called for more police patrols on streets, while a similar number - 90 per cent - said that shoplifters should be handed harsher sentences.

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“Inadequate responses from the police and a slap on the wrist for offenders means that shoplifting is soaring, and offenders are becoming more aggressive and brazen,” said Fed National President Mo Razzaq.

“From the responses we received, it is clear that real action is needed by police, by courts and by the government to stem the overwhelming tide of crime against retailers and their staff. Everyone deserves to feel safe at work and for their businesses to be protected against criminals.

“Fed members are also sending a clear message that one of the catalysts for verbal and physical abuse in stores is asking for proof of age before selling an age restricted product. If the government presses ahead with its plans to phase out smoking and vaping through a progressive ban to gradually end the sale of tobacco products across the country, independent retailers will be subject to even greater levels of violence, abuse and theft.”

Calling for action from the government and not just words, Mr Razzaq continued: “Without effective deterrent, criminals and opportunistic members of the public will continue to commit crimes.”

According to Ministry of Justice statistics, during the year to March 2024, 431 fines were handed out for retail theft under £100, while Home Office statistics for the same period show that 2,252 cautions were accepted for shoplifting.

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