The Post Office has announced that its chief executive, Nick Read, will be stepping down from his role. Mr. Read had temporarily stepped aside in July to focus on preparations for the next stage of the Horizon scandal inquiry, which is investigating one of the UK’s biggest miscarriages of justice.
Neil Brocklehurst, currently the interim chief operating officer, has been appointed to serve as acting CEO while the company navigates this critical period.
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,” said Nigel Railton, the interim chair of the Post Office.
Mr. Read’s leadership has been marked by efforts to reform the Post Office’s culture and rebuild trust with its postmasters, many of whom were affected by the Horizon IT scandal. The inquiry is examining how hundreds of postmasters were wrongly accused of theft and fraud due to errors in the Post Office’s IT system.
Mr. Read’s departure comes as the Post Office continues its work to right the wrongs of the past and push for a more transparent and supportive relationship with its network of postmasters.
