Nick Read to step down as Post Office CEO in March 2025

The Post Office today announces that after five years Nick Read has decided to step down as Chief Executive Officer and leave Post Office on 15 March 2025.

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

In November 2019, Nick led the settlement with the Group Litigation claimants, beginning the journey to address the wrongs of the past and to reset the relationship with Postmasters that continues today. 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 today’s Postmasters at the heart of Post Office.

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

Nick welcomes 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 will announce the process for the appointment of a new Group CEO in due course and Nick is committed to ensuring a smooth and orderly transition to his successor. In the intervening period, the Board have asked Neil Brocklehurst to step up as acting CEO and he will manage the business on a day-to-day basis while Nick is focused on the Inquiry.

Nick Read, CEO of Post Office, said: “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. 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.”

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.”

ENDS