13 Jan 2014 07:05
Royal Mail plc
Monday 13 January 2014
DIRECTORATE CHANGE
SENIOR MANAGEMENT CHANGES AT ROYAL MAIL GROUP
Royal Mail plc today announces some senior management changes.
As the initial phase of Royal Mail's comprehensive transformation programme is largely complete, Mark Higson, Managing Director, Operations and Modernisation, has decided to leave the Company and resign from the Board in July 2014, following the AGM. Mark joined Royal Mail in November 2007 and has played a key role in planning and executing one of the UK's largest industrial transformation programmes. Mark will not stand for election as a Director at the AGM.
Sue Whalley, currently Director of Regulation, Pricing and Government Affairs, will now assume the new role of Chief Operations Officer and will continue to be a member of the Chief Executive's Committee. Sue will be responsible for leading the next phase of the transformation in Operations, with a specific focus on further developing culture, safety, quality and efficiency. Mark will work closely with Sue to ensure an orderly handover.
As Programme Director, Sue Whalley played a key role in the recent flotation of Royal Mail. Prior to joining the business in 2006, she was a partner at McKinsey and has degrees from Cambridge University and Harvard Business School. Sue will be assisted by Stuart Simpson, currently Operations Director for the West, who will become Deputy Chief Operations Officer. Stuart was previously Finance Director, Operations, and prior to that held senior positions at General Motors.
In other senior management appointments, John Duncan, the Group HR Director, has decided to leave the Company in order to pursue new opportunities. John has played a key role in Royal Mail's ongoing transformation since joining the Company in 2010 from Canada Post, where he was Senior Vice President, HR. Jon Millidge, currently the Company Secretary and who previously held a number of senior HR roles at Royal Mail, will take up the role of Group HR Director next month. John Duncan will work with Jon Millidge to ensure a smooth transition. Emily Pang, Chief of Staff, is appointed Company Secretary and will retain her current responsibilities. Shane O'Riordain, Managing Director, Strategy and Communications, will also take responsibility for Pricing, Regulation and Government Affairs.
Moya Greene, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Mail Group, said: "Mark's commitment and drive have been instrumental in the delivery of the first phase of our transformation programme. He leaves Royal Mail in a stronger position. On behalf of the Company, I offer our thanks and wish him well for the future."
Mark Higson said: "I am proud of the achievements of the people in Royal Mail in delivering such a large and complex transformation over the past six years. Now it is time to hand over responsibility for the next phase to Sue Whalley, Stuart and the dedicated team in Operations."
Moya Greene added: "Sue Whalley is a very experienced executive with a great deal of knowledge of Royal Mail's main operations. Her analytical abilities, along with her strong track record of delivering major projects, will be of great benefit to us as we move on to the next phase of our transformation programme."
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Contact information:
Media Relations
Mish Tullar
Phone: 07423 524 154
Email: mish.tullar@royalmail.com
Beth Longcroft
Phone: 020 7449 8241
Email: beth.longcroft@royalmail.com
Royal Mail press office out of hours: 020 3338 1007
Investor Relations
Catherine Nash
Phone: 020 7449 8297
Email: investorrelations@royalmail.com