Last Mile Brief 15/05/2023: Simon Thompson confirms he will resign as Royal Mail CEO

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International Distributions Services, owner of the Royal Mail, has announced that Simon Thompson has informed the Board of his intention to step down as CEO of Royal Mail.

Simon Thompson joined the company as a Non-Executive Director in 2017 and was appointed as CEO of Royal Mail in January 2021.

In a press release, International Distributions Services said that the Board was in advanced stages of appointing a new CEO.

In the meantime, Simon Thompson has agreed to remain with the business until 31 October 2023 as part of the transition.

In addition to this, Chairman Keith Williams shall be providing “additional oversight and support” alongside his Board colleagues through this period. The company added that a further announcement will be made in due course.

Commenting on the news, Keith Williams, Chairman of IDS, said:

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Simon for his significant contribution over more than five years at Royal Mail, both as CEO and previously as a Non-Executive Director of the Board. As CEO, his leadership, resilience and unwavering drive to ensure that Royal Mail transforms for the benefit of our customers means we have set a clear path to turn the business around. We are grateful for his dedication and what he has achieved at the company, and wish him well for the future.”

Simon Thompson himself added:

“I have been incredibly proud to lead Royal Mail during this crucial period in its 507 year history. The changes we have made, the infrastructure we have put in place, and the agreements negotiated with our trade unions mean that Royal Mail now has a chance to compete and grow. That is what I have always wanted, and it is now the right time to hand over to a new CEO to deliver the next stage of the company’s reinvention. I would like to thank my team for their support during a difficult and important time of change.”

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash