Introduction
With over 11,500 branches, Post Office has the biggest retail network in the UK. 99.7% of the population live within three miles of a Post Office and 4,000 branches are open seven days a week. It is looking to modernise and transform its operations to keep pace with changing consumer preferences.
Post Office’s public ownership is founded on its social purpose and the requirement to maintain its network of branches. Post Office Limited is wholly owned by the Secretary of State for the Department of Business and Trade who holds a special share in the Company.
The majority of its branches are run in partnership with retail partners on a franchise basis. It plays a key role in communities, often as a central hub for towns and villages, supporting local economies and small businesses and providing access to essential services and a meaningful source of social interaction, to more vulnerable members of society.
Post Office offers a vast range of products and services, but it is simplifying its customer proposition with a focus on its cash and banking; mails and parcels; foreign exchange; and bill payment services.
Post Office plays a key role on the high street, with research indicating that visits to the Post Office help drive another 400 million visitors to other shops, restaurants and local businesses. This adds up to an estimated £1.1 billion in additional revenue for High Street businesses.
Post Office is working to resolve past failures and fundamentally reform its culture, practices and operating procedures, and forge an open and transparent relationship with the thousands of Postmasters providing customers with vital services in the UK’s communities.
Transformation is critical to the Post Office’s future. You will join us during a hugely ambitious challenge to reshape our services in the face of rapid and fundamental shifts in consumer and business behaviour. We are under no illusions on the scale of this challenge, but see huge opportunity to evolve built on the foundation of our rich history. It is the only retailer with a presence in each nation and every community across the UK and it needs to adapt its branch network to reflect the way people live their lives today. Prioritising strong and trusting relationships with all Postmasters will be critical to this.
Post Office is growing its network, making sure it has the right branches in the right locations nationwide. It is innovating in Mails, working with more carriers and delivering more of what customers want and small businesses need.
The Post Office’s Everyday Banking services in partnership with over 30 banks, building societies and credit unions mean that 99% of customers can access their High Street bank account securely and conveniently over the counter at their local Post Office for cash withdrawals, deposits and balance enquiries. Post Office is also committed to safeguarding 1,400 free-to-use ATMs across the UK, helping anyone who wants cash to get it which ever way is most convenient.
Post Office aims to secure free, convenient and reliable access to cash in every community. It will build commercial partnerships to launch new products and services in branches and online. It will invest in new branch technology for Postmasters and online for their customers. And it will bring value for the Government Shareholder with a successful, profitable and efficient business.
Role description
The primary role of the Senior Independent Non-Executive Director will be to:
• Demonstrate commitment to Post Office’s role as a commercial business that delivers a social purpose and is seeking to build a modern franchise in partnership with its Postmasters and multiple partners.
• Participate in the development of Post Office’s strategy and oversee its implementation.
• Contribute positively to the Board’s discussions and decision-making, applying intellectual rigour, displaying good judgement, considering the impact of decisions on different stakeholders and providing constructive challenge and support to management.
• Bring knowledge, experience and expertise to shape how the business develops
• Provide oversight of and receive assurance on the operation of the business, its compliance with law and regulation, risk management and internal controls
• Provide leadership on the values and culture the company seeks to promote, including its engagement with Postmasters, customers, employees, suppliers and shareholder.
• Monitor the performance of management in meeting agreed targets and objectives.
• Demonstrate high standards of integrity and behaviour expected of a director of a government owned company (with reference to the guidance on roles, expectations and responsibilities for public body Non-Executive Directors: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/public-bodies-non-executive-directors-principles-and-standards - which includes the 7 Principles of Public Life: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life/the-7-principles-of-public-life--2).
Board composition
Executive Search provider GatenbySanderson has been appointed to partner with the Post Office on this key appointment.
To apply for this post, you will submit your application no later than 23.55 on Monday 22nd January 2024
All applications must be submitted using the following link: www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe106564
You are asked to submit the following:
1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
2. A Statement of Suitability (no longer than three pages) explaining:
a. Your motivation for applying for this role.
b. How you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the competencies sought in this pack.
Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria. Please ensure that both documents contain your full name.
In addition, you will be asked to complete diversity and conflicts declarations through the online application system.
Should you encounter any issues with your online application or are unable to apply online please contact kirsten.hasseriis@gatenbysanderson.com
Essential criteria
The Post Office is committed to having a well-rounded Board that reflects society. We encourage candidates who can share varied perspectives that will bring insights and experiences to the Board, so we are best able to meet the changing needs of our customers, Postmasters and Shareholder. In addition, the ideal candidate will possess:
• Large scale/complex business transformation and change.
• A demonstrable understanding of the central government environment, gained through a close working relationship with the sector, previous Non-Executive and Board level experience, or as a senior leader within an executive capacity.
• A strong track record and experience of operating successfully as a Non-Executive Director, with a sound appreciation of effective governance and a demonstrable track record of influencing transformational change.
Desirable criteria
• An understanding of the retail market and a commercially focussed outlook together with a commitment to delivering Post Office’s social purpose
• Strong analytical skills, resilience and enthusiasm will be critical to supporting the development of a modern franchise in partnership with our Postmasters and multiple partners
• A successful track record and experience in at least one of the following disciplines; HR and organisational development, transformational change, data, digital, technology, cyber and systems development, commercial, diversity and inclusion, finance.