Alan Cook appointed Managing Director of the UK Post Office

Alan Cook, the Chief Executive of National Savings and Investments (NS&I), has been appointed to the new post of Managing Director of Post Office Ltd, it was announced today.

Reporting to Adam Crozier, Royal Mail’s Group Chief Executive, Mr Cook will develop the Post Office® network in its key role of providing products and services to 28 million customers each week in communities nationwide.

Mr Crozier said he was delighted Mr Cook had accepted the role. “Alan has a fantastic track record in growing business at NS&I where investments in Premium Bonds and other savings and investment products have grown by an impressive £10 billion in the last three years.

“The Post Office® has had a long and productive relationship with NS&I. In Alan, we are fortunate to have a business director who understands our business and its customers. He is bringing to the Post Office® huge experience in successfully leading a major organisation in growing its revenues strongly in a changing market. He’ll be a great asset for the Post Office®, our people and customers,” said Mr Crozier.

Mr Cook will join the company in March 2006. He said: “The Post Office® has a unique and cherished place in communities everywhere. I’m very much looking forward to developing and growing its business while ensuring it continues to serve its customers with the products and services they rely on.”

Mr Cook will be a member of the Royal Mail Board.

Ends

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Notes to Editors

Alan Cook (52) has strong experience in both the private and public sector. He has been Chief Executive of National Savings and Investments since 2002, a role which included managing the partnership with the Post Office as the leading outlet for distribution of NS&I products. He was appointed a non-executive member of the Board of Post Office Ltd in April 2005.

He began his career at the Prudential in 1970, becoming Managing Director of General Insurance in 1997, and Chief Executive of Insurance Services in 1999. His career at Prudential included extended assignments to both the Association of British Insurers and Jackson National Life in the US.

He is a member of the Council at the Institute of Financial Services, a Chartered Insurer, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management, and a Freeman of the City of London. He was appointed a CBE in the 2006 New Year Honours’ List.