EXCLUSIVE: Post Office non-exec director candidates outline pledges

Post Office (PO) has opened voting for two non-executive directors, with the six shortlisted postmasters pledging to fight for fairer pay, improve communication with HQ and secure redress over the Horizon scandal.

Voting runs from 30 September to 16 October, with the two chosen candidates speaking directly and raising concerns of the wider network to the PO’s board. The candidates are Sara Barlow, Ruth Mander, Rizwan Salahuddin, Ying Shi, Brian Smith and Vince Malone.

Merseyside-based Barlow has been a postmaster for six years and has acted as a secretary for the Voice of the Postmaster group. She pledged to “speak out for all current postmasters at board level and beyond, including all representative groups.”

Barlow added: “A stronger network built by postmasters and fairer pay is my top priority. Now is the opportune moment for change as we undergo a strategic review. I am the ideal candidate to make history for postmasters, while also acknowledging the efforts of my predecessors who were let down by our system. I am dedicated to paving the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for all involved.”

Meanwhile, Munder stressed engagement with local communities was critical to the PO network’s survival. She said: “This requires PO to be effectively connected with the front line, understand the needs and wants of local communities, and enabling local post offices to continue to be there for their local communities. There have been many challenges over the last few years, but we have all shown how we can survive by adapting and trying out new ideas.

“My work, both paid and voluntary, gives me an opportunity to help shape my community and I would welcome the opportunity to represent and be a voice for all local postmasters, helping to shape PO’s development to enable local post offices to thrive and be sustainable into the future.”

EXCLUSIVE: Post Office non-exec director candidates outline pledges for improvement

Salahuddin’s priorities included improving profitability and income for branches. He said: “My goal is to empower postmasters and PO to work together, creating a platform that delivers exceptional results for everyone. I have a proven track record of developing and implementing strategies to improve operational efficiency and drive revenue growth with prioritising postmasters and PO to work as a team. I would like to contribute to improving growth and income for all Postmasters and equally for Post Office Limited.

“I am committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency in all aspects of my work, and I am dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within PO.”

Shi pledged to lead the creation a new PO business school for postmasters, providing training for “retail strategies and digital skills necessary to thrive as business owners.”

She said: “We must lead with the innovation of our own products and develop proactive solutions that meet the evolving demands of modern consumers, rather than relying solely on partnerships. At the same time, fair pay and a transparent culture where postmasters are actively involved at every level of decision-making are essential.

“By streamlining operations, reducing central costs, and harnessing peer-to-peer support, we can build a more efficient and resilient PO without compromising quality or service. I will advocate for governance reforms that guarantee transparency and accountability in every facet of our operations.”

Shetland Islands-based postmaster Brian Smith made similar pledges to help postmasters improve their IT skills, if elected. He said: “I bring a strong background in finance and IT. I understand how to leverage technology while keeping our traditional services intact, and I want to ensure that post offices remain competitive and vital in today’s market.

“I am well-versed in how Post Office Ltd operates at a corporate level, so I’m ready to hit the ground running to fight for the issues that matter most to us as postmasters, including: fair remuneration for the work we do, holding PO to account for its high operating costs, securing redress and proper acknowledgment of past mistakes and ensuring a strong, sustainable plan for the future that keeps us commercially viable.”

Finally, Tenby-based postmaster Vince Malone said he would lobby PO HQ to provide “unwavering support, proper training and fair remuneration” if elected.

Malone said: “It is clear that a further shift in approach is necessary, and it must happen swiftly. Our customers rely on the post office, and postmasters are poised to meet their needs with excellence. What we require, and what I aim to achieve, is a world-class support system that complements our exceptional service delivery. The voices of postmasters must be elevated to the highest levels, drawing from our collective experiences, both triumphs, and setbacks.

“The enduring popularity of post offices on our high streets underscores their importance, and it is essential that we secure their presence for years to come.”

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