Royal Mail CEO steps down after delivery failures / Photo: OLI SCARFF - AFP
-
Himalayan glacier study warns of flood and water-supply risks
-
Trump rejects AI slowdown concerns as UN urges coordinated controls
-
Kuwait schools restore classroom routines after remote learning
-
US judge postpones new visa rules for foreign students, journalists
-
US designer Bob Mackie, known for Hollywood glamour, dies at 87
-
Higher wages draw migrant workers to Kashmir despite attacks
-
BIS flags debt and profitability risks in AI-driven market rally
-
Oil supply concerns and AI warnings weigh on global markets
-
Qatar Chamber and Maltese envoy consider business forum
-
'I am the hoax buster': Trump rejects AI danger warnings
-
Spanish PM denies being blackmailed by Morocco
-
Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after 'free Palestine' speech
-
Doha Islamic finance forum names AlRayan firms as co-lead partners
-
Trump's son confirms Russian businessman paid for post-wedding festivities
-
Leeds thrash Newcastle to go third in the Premier League
-
Betis beat winless Villarreal to go third
-
Zelensky says Ukraine ready for 'de-escalatory steps'
-
Etihad capacity rises as war disruption weighs on annual earnings
-
In-form Malen fires Roma to Serie A summit, Inter on their heels
-
At G20 summit, US unravels power plant climate rules
-
Lebanese agency reports Israeli shelling and gunfire in south
-
Russian disinformation campaign sets sights on US midterms
-
Expert proposes phased digital reform for Arab business schools
-
England No 8 Pollock could move abroad or switch sports amid contract stand-off
-
Trump rejects 'hoax' warnings that AI could destroy humanity
-
Canada makes pitch as safe place to invest in 'uncertain world'
-
Houthis say Saudi Arabia hits Yemen with 54 strikes after attack on bases
-
In-form Malen fires Roma to Serie A summit
-
Why the far right is losing ground in Sweden
-
IOC visits Lyon amid leadership turmoil for 2030 Winter Olympics
-
Ex-Ireland fly-half O'Gara extends deal as La Rochelle coach
-
New York seizes 12 celeb deep-fake porn sites
-
Russian attacks on Ukraine railways escalating every week: rail CEO to AFP
-
Jesse Eisenberg channels emotional intensity into 'The Debut'
-
France, Iraq deepen energy, defence ties during Zaidi visit
-
Alarm over AI grows as divided US Congress struggles to act
-
Trump says Ukraine, Russia agree not to hit energy targets
-
PopDEX Surpasses $61M TVL and $2B Trading Volume in Closed Beta
-
Nigeria's Dangote refinery launches continent's biggest IPO
-
Oasis announce new 2027 world tour
-
Trump blasts 'sick conspiracy' against AI as warnings mount
-
Women athletes condemn 'sexualised' Sydney Sweeney commercial
-
For Laura Linney, role in Parkinson's-themed movie marked a turning point
-
UN calls for 'urgent action' to rein in AI in face of 'unprecedented risks'
-
Doctors face life sentence over Greek pop star's death
-
Russia intensifies attacks seeking to intimidate Ukraine, Europe
-
Trump moves to axe power plant climate rules
-
Richarlison not in Spurs League Cup squad: De Zerbi
-
Slow the AI race? Investors weigh the potential cost
-
French defence group Thales calls on governments to regulate AI
Royal Mail CEO steps down after delivery failures
The boss of Royal Mail is to step down, its parent group confirmed Friday, after lawmakers criticised the former state-monopoly's performance, which has been hit by mass strikes.
Chief executive Simon Thompson "informed the board of his intention to step down" after concluding it was "the right time to move forward under new leadership", parent group International Distributions Services (IDS) said in a statement.
The news follows a flurry of media speculation over his impending departure from the long-troubled postal operator.
Thompson, who has been Royal Mail CEO since the start of 2021, will remain at the business until the end of October.
IDS added that it was in "advanced stages" of appointing a replacement.
Friday's news comes after UK lawmakers in March concluded that Royal Mail has "systemically failed" to meet its postal-delivery requirement.
The company is obliged to deliver letters six days a week across Britain in a one-price-goes-anywhere postal service.
The company has been blighted by recent industrial action with thousands of workers protesting over wages failing to keep pace with soaring inflation.
Set up more than 500 years ago, Royal Mail has experienced much turbulence since its privatisation in 2013.
It was boosted during the pandemic lockdowns by a high volume of parcel orders but this has since fallen sharply.
A.O.Scott--AT