Brian Smith, postmaster for Clocktower Post Office on the Shetland Islands, and Sara Barlow, postmaster for Rainhill, Merseyside have been elected as Non-Executive Directors on the Post Office Board.
This is the second time in the Post Office’s 360-year history that serving postmasters have been elected to the Board. Brian and Sara will replace Elliot Jacobs and Saf Ismail who were first elected to sit on the Board in 2021.
Their appointment 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, who has run the Clocktower Post Office for 19 years, 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 has run the Rainhill branch for six years and has been awarded a British Empire medal for services to business and the community.
She 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, Brian took up his position on the Board on 4 December 2024 and Sara 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 Brian and Sara. Saf Ismail has stepped down from the Board.
