The Post Office has named B&M’s UK operations director Martin Roberts as its new chief retail officer, Retail Week can reveal.

Post-Office

Martin Roberts will be responsible for the Post Office’s network of 11,500 UK branches

Roberts will now take overall responsibility for the Post Office’s network of 11,500 branches across the UK and will work with the organisation’s postmasters and strategic partners in the running of its franchise businesses.

He will also oversee the Post Office’s streamlined cash distribution operation across the UK, with more than £3bn in cash distributed each month at its branches.

Roberts is currently B&M’s UK operations director, a position he has held since January 2016. He has also worked as head of retail and online at Vodafone, retail director at Wickes and in several retail roles at Sainsbury’s

Post Office chief executive Nick Read said: “I am delighted Martin is joining the Post Office as we ensure postmasters and their interests are at the heart of everything that we do.

“Our intent by 2025 is to make the Post Office the most highly sought after, successful and sustainable franchise business in the UK. Martin brings a wealth of retail and management experience that will be invaluable to us.”

Roberts said: “I am excited to be taking on this key role at the UK’s biggest retail network and look forward to meeting independent postmasters and our strategic partners across the UK.

“It’s vital that they have a seamless interaction with the Post Office and that we’re focused on delivering improvements that enable them to run profitable businesses.”

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