Royal Mail have announced that Chairman of the Board, Peter Long, has stepped down from the company’s Board and this will take place with immediate effect.
“It is with a heavy heart that I step down from the Royal Mail Board. Over my three years as Chairman, I have taken great pride in what has been achieved by the Group. It is a Company with an incredible heritage. Operating in a challenging environment, it is positioning itself well for diversified growth under the leadership of Rico Back and his executive team. I wish all my Royal Mail colleagues every success in the future.”
– Peter Long, Royal Mail plc
Peter joined the Board in June 2015 and was appointed Chairman in September 2015. This year, his commitments outside Royal Mail have increased substantially, as he moved from non-executive to executive chairman at Countrywide plc. On that basis, Peter has reviewed his Board appointments and concluded it is no longer possible for him to remain executive Chairman of Countrywide and non-executive Chairman of the UK’s national postal operator.
“Peter has led the Board through a time of major change for Royal Mail, including ongoing transformation, industrial relations agreements with the unions and the expansion of the international business. He has refreshed the Board and overseen the succession planning, appointment and transitioning of the Chief Finance Officer, Stuart Simpson, and the Group Chief Executive Officer, Rico Back.”
– Royal Mail
Les Owen becomes new Chairman of the board
The Board has appointed Les Owen, a highly experienced Royal Mail Board member, as Chairman with immediate effect, thus providing continuity. Orna Ni-Chionna will review the Board succession arrangements, including for the Chair, in line with the requirements of their UK Corporate Governance Code.
Les Owen joined the Board in 2010 and has been a member of the Audit & Risk Committee and the Remuneration Committee. He chaired the Pensions Committee during the key review of Royal Mail’s pension arrangements.
