Royal Mail announces board changes – Elmar Toime standing down

Royal Mail Group today announced changes to the company’s board, as it enters the final months of its three year renewal plan and prepares for intensified competition in the postal market.

Executive Deputy Chairman, Elmar Toime, will be standing down to pursue opportunities as a consultant to the international postal sector. Mr Toime joined the Group in March 2003 and held responsibility for the Royal Mail letters business until May this year, when Chief Executive Adam Crozier took direct control of that part of the business. Royal Mail Chairman, Allan Leighton, thanked Elmar for his contribution to the renewal plan and wished him well in his new venture.

Royal Mail has also announced that Baroness Margaret Prosser has been appointed to the board as a non executive Director. Lady Prosser, who was Deputy General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers’ Union from 1998 to 2002, brings a wealth of experience in employee relations.

She was a member of the Equal Opportunities Commission between 1985 and 1992 and was President of the Trades Union Congress from 1995 to 1996. She is keenly interested in diversity in the workplace and is the current chair of the Women’s National Commission.

Commenting on Lady Prosser’s appointment Allan Leighton said, “We are well through the three year renewal plan we needed to put in place to turn Royal Mail around. But the challenge we face is still immense and the impact of competition on everyone in the company will increase sharply in the near future.

“We will benefit hugely from Margaret’s experience and scrutiny as we continue to drive the improvements needed to deliver a great place to work to all our people, and a great level of service to all our customers.”

“We are making a strong and lasting improvement to the level of service we’re giving our customers. Quality of service has improved consistently month on month since May. Every measure is improving. We have made real and substantial gains on First and Second Class mail – some of our current performance levels are among the best in years.”

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