Nigel Railton, former chief of Camelot, has been appointed as the new interim chair of the Post Office, following the dismissal of Henry Staunton earlier this year. Railton, known for his experience in transforming organizations, will lead the Post Office as it navigates the aftermath of the Horizon IT scandal, which saw over 900 post office operators wrongly prosecuted due to faults with the Horizon computer system.
Railton’s appointment comes amidst ongoing compensation payments to victims of the scandal and a public inquiry into the matter. His extensive background in leadership roles, including at Camelot, Daewoo, and British Rail, makes him well-equipped to steer the Post Office through these challenging times.
The decision to appoint Railton follows a public dispute between Staunton and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, with Staunton alleging that he was asked to stall compensation payments by the government. Badenoch refuted these claims, emphasizing the need for change within the organization.
In response to his appointment, Railton expressed his commitment to the Post Office’s role in communities across the country, acknowledging the importance of addressing past failures while driving business transformation. With Railton at the helm, the Post Office looks towards a new chapter under his leadership.