Press release -
New Postmasters elected to Post Office Board
- Two new postmasters, Brian Smith and Sara Barlow, have been elected as Non-Executive Directors on the Post Office Board
- This is the second time elections have been run for serving postmasters to sit on the Board
- New postmasters replace Elliot Jacobs and Saf Ismail who were the first serving postmasters elected to sit on the Board in 2021
Two serving Postmasters, Brian Smith and Sara Barlow, have been elected to the Post Office Board as Non-Executive Directors.
This is the second time in the Post Office’s 360-year history that serving postmasters have been elected to the Board. Brian Smith and Sara Barlow will replace Elliot Jacobs and Saf Ismail who were first elected to sit on the Board in 2021.
The appointment of Mr Smith and Ms Barlow follows approval from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, The Right Hon Jonathan Reynolds. It comes after the Post Office Chair Nigel Railton set out an ambitious five-year Transformation Plan for the Post Office to deliver a ‘New Deal for Postmasters’.
Brian Smith is the postmaster for Clocktower Post Office on the Shetland Islands. He has run the branch for 19 years. Brian Smith said:
“I am eager to bring my unique insights, diverse skills, and unwavering commitment to the Post Office's mission to the Board. My passion for community engagement, drive for innovation, and a deep understanding of the retail landscape, will all aid me to support the Post Office on its path to modernisation and continued success.”
Sara Barlow is the postmaster for Rainhill, Merseyside. She has run the branch for six years and has been awarded a British Empire medal for services to business and the community. Sara Barlow said:
“I have been an active participant in many postmaster working groups, forums and associations. Whether it’s through Peer Support or in my role on the Wellbeing initiative team, I am driven to help support postmasters on a wide range of issues from remuneration improvements to emotional support.”
Voting to elect two new postmasters as Non-Executive Directors to the Post Office Board took place between 30 September and 16 October 2024.
Nigel Railton, Post Office Chair, said:
“I am delighted to be welcoming Brian and Sara to the Board. We have an ambitious five-year Transformation Plan for the Post Office and both will bring critical real-life experience to the role helping us deliver a ‘New Deal for Postmasters’ that will also benefit the nine million customers that visit our branches every week and who rely on the essential products and services postmasters and their teams provide.”
Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas, said:
“It’s absolutely right that postmasters should play a leading role in shaping the future of the Post Office, providing invaluable experience to ensure it serves the needs of communities across the country. Brian and Sara will make excellent additions to the leadership team, helping to further bridge the gap between branches and the board.”
Following an induction and training programme, covering the corporate and legal aspects of fulfilling the duties of a Non-Executive Director, Mr Smith took up his position on the Board on 4 December 2024 and Ms Barlow takes up her position on the Board on 28 January 2025.
Current Postmaster Non-Executive Director Elliot Jacobs tenure on the Board has been extended to bring business continuity to the Board alongside Mr Smith and Ms Barlow. Saf Ismail has stepped down from the Board.
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About the Post Office
- With over 11,500 branches, Post Office has the biggest retail network in the UK, with more branches than all the banks and building societies combined.
- Post Office is helping anyone who wants cash to get it whichever way is most convenient. Partnership with over 30 banks, building societies and credit unions means that 99% of UK bank customers can access their accounts at their Post Office.
- Cash withdrawals, deposits and balance enquiries can be made securely and conveniently over the counter at any Post Office; and the biggest investment by any organisation or company in the last decade is being made to safeguard 1,400 free-to-use ATMs across the UK.
- Post Office is simplifying its proposition for Postmasters with a focus on its cash and banking; mails and parcels; foreign exchange; and; bill payments services.
- Research has found that visits to the Post Office help drive another 400 million visitors to other shops, restaurants and local businesses equating to an estimated £1.1 billion in additional revenue for High Street businesses.
- 99.7% of the population live within three miles of a Post Office; and 4,000 branches are open seven days a week.
