Post Office’s head of postmasters makes abrupt exit in wake of Horizon scandal

Another top executive is leaving the Post Office as the embattled business prepares for the final stage of the Horizon inquiry.

Staff were told on Wednesday that Martin Roberts, group chief retail officer at the taxpayer-owned organisation, will leave on Aug 2.

He has been in post since Feb 2022 and is responsible for managing the Post Office’s network of 11,000 branches, as well as suppliers, customer service and marketing.

The Post Office confirmed the departure and added that Mr Roberts was leaving to “pursue new opportunities”.

His exit after two and a half years is the latest example of churn at the top of the company, which is operating under temporary leadership.

In an email to employees, acting chief executive Owen Woodley said: “I am writing to let you know that our group chief retail officer, Martin Roberts, will be leaving the business.

“Over the last two years, Martin has made a significant contribution across his wide remit … I am grateful for his leadership, hard work and absolutely consistent commitment to our postmasters.

“I would like to wish Martin all the very best for whatever comes next for him. I am sure you will all want to do the same.”

It comes just weeks after Mr Woodley stepped up to temporarily fill the shoes of chief executive Nick Read, who announced he was stepping back from his normal duties to focus on preparing for the final stage of the public inquiry.

The Post Office scandal saw subpostmasters wrongly prosecuted for fraud and theft because of faults with the Horizon computer system, in the largest-scale miscarriage of justice in British legal history.

More than 900 were convicted, including some 700 who were prosecuted by the Post Office between 1999 and 2015.

Public hearings for the official inquiry began in February 2022 and the seventh phase – for which Mr Read is preparing – is expected to begin in late September.