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From:
Sent:
To: Henry Staunton I
Cc: Elliot Jacobs GRO i
Subject: RE: Key Agenda Items for Upcoming Board Meeting **Final Version™*
Attachment: board action points 26.1.24.docx
Hi both
See attached the final version of my note trimmed down, let me know your thoughts.
@Henry Staunto! ‘I have highlighted in red regarding the legal bit.
Regards
Saf Ismail
Non-Executive Director
100 Wood Street,
London, EC2V 7ER
postoffice.co.uk
From: Henry Staunto
Sent: 25 Janua
To: Saf ismai
ing **Final Version**
Sent from Outlook for iOS
From: Saf ismail r
Sent: Thursday, J
To: Henry Staunto
Hi Henry
We are still thinking of the most effective options, can we all have a chat at 3pm tomorrow?
Sent from Outlook for Android
From: Henry Staunton {
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2024 9:50:48 PM
To: Saf ismai
Subject: Re: Key Ag Meeting **Final Version**
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Dear Both ,
I gather from my call with Elliot that you are reconsidering what you will do . Please keep me posted of your final
decision .
Henry
Sent from Outlook for iOS
Sent: Thursday, Jan
To: Henry Staunton
Ce: Elliot Jacobs I a
Subject: RE: Key Agenda Items for Upcoming Board Meeting **Final Version**
Hi both,
See below the final version of the note for the board, are you happy with this?
Speak at 9 am.
Dear Chairman,
I trust this message finds you well. As we prepare for the upcoming board meeting, I wish to draw your
attention to several critical matters demanding prompt consideration and discussion.
Confidential Email on Project Pineapple: As you are aware It has come to my attention that Nick's
confidential email on Project Pineapple which was sent to the individuals involved needs resolving my email
response remains unanswered since my communication on Thursday evening.
Suspended Historic Employees: The presence of employees previously identified as high risk in the historic
scandal within our workforce raises concerns. A comprehensive review of all personnel involved in the scandal
is imperative to safeguard the integrity of our business. I recommend swift action to mitigate potential risks.
How was Brian Trotter still in the business until we visited the inquiry? Regarding Steve Bradshaw I
mentioned him to four individuals in the business on four different occasions and a board regarding his
testimony which would cause our business further issues however, once again I was ignored.
Disbandment of PM Engagement Team: this team lacks credibility and has delivered on the challenges
faced by the PM community hence they have no respect within the wider network. I suggest the strategic
disbandment of the team. This recommendation is reinforced by their reluctance to conduct a survey when
outcomes were not anticipated in their favour. Granting the new oversight committee control over forums and
PM engagement is essential for us to be effective and PM-centric.
Investigation of NDAs: A thorough investigation into all Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) executed since
CEO Nick assumed office is crucial. During the select committee hearing, Nick was asked if he was aware of
any such agreements and he advised No, it is crucial we are transparent with the select committee but also to
protect our CEO with accurate information, can we investigate this?
Additionally, urgent steps are required to revoke NDAs with external entities, such as Fujitsu or Second Sight,
linked to the Horizon scandal. This decision should be communicated to the public promptly to show we as a
board want to help with justice for postmasters and the inquiry.
Role of Legal Council (Ben Foat): Our proposal is a comprehensive review and adjustment of the job role
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for Ben Foat, our Legal Counsel, this involves reassigning him to the inquiry and limiting his involvement in
other business areas. This adjustment is fundamental for reinforcing transparency and accountability and
changing our culture and indecision.
Culture: Postmaster discrimination must end immediately, this rhetoric that they are all on the take and are
the same is unacceptable. What Richard was caught saying is common within the walls of POL, the language
used by employees can’t be spoken about Black people, Muslims or Jews because it's discriminatory. The
CRO informing the board of extreme stories again is unhelpful and lacks integrity but then wants PMs to pay
100% for automation and not strategic partners. The culture in this business is toxic and it needs more PMs
involved in the entire organisation to help it refocus.
Establishment of Oversight Committee: In light of the evolving landscape, I recommend the immediate
establishment of an oversight committee ASAP featuring Postmasters and NEDs as its core members. This
committee must be empowered with clearly defined terms of reference and a mandate to proactively take
action and ensure accountability among stakeholders. Defining clear terms of reference for the committee is
essential to challenging cultural and procedural aspects of the organisation. The establishment of such a
committee has been strongly advocated for by the voice of postmasters, the National Federation of
SubPostmasters (NFSP), and existing Postmaster NEDs.
To ensure the effective operation of the committee and align with the business's goal of becoming postmaster-
centric, it is imperative to grant existing Postmaster NEDs an additional term. Their continued involvement is
vital for the success of the committee and the realisation of our aspiration to be postmaster-focused and ensure
our business never has untouchable employees and the lessons of the past are learnt and changes are made to
ensure these never happen again.
Furthermore, in filling the upcoming NED vacancy, we recommend considering the inclusion of another
experienced postmaster. This strategic move will enhance the committee's expertise and contribute to its
effectiveness in guiding the business toward a postmaster-centric model.
l appreciate your attention to these matters and eagerly anticipate addressing them collectively during our
scheduled board meeting.
Regards
Saf Ismail
Non-Executive Director
100 Wood Street,
London, EC2V 7ER
postoffice.co.uk
From: Henry Staunton (
Sent: 24 January 2024 1:
To: Saf ismail
Ce: Elliot Jacobs I GRO
Subject: Re: Key Agenda Items for Upcoming Board “Meeting
Dear Both ,
I have not sent to the NEDs as I do not want a repeat of it being forwarded .
It is your memorandum . Do you want to send it in advance ( which would ENSURE its discussion ) or will you present
it on the day ?
Henry
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Sent from Outlook for iOS
From: Saf ismai
Sent: Tuesday, Janu
To: Henry Staunton
Ce: Elliot Jacobs I"
Subject: Key Agenda Items for Upcoming Board Meeting
Dear Chairman,
I trust this message finds you well. As we prepare for the upcoming board meeting, I wish to draw your
attention to several critical matters demanding prompt consideration and discussion.
Confidential Email on Project Pineapple: As you are aware It has come to my attention that our confidential
email on Project Pineapple was sent to the individuals involved by Nick, this still needs resolving and my
email remains unanswered since my communication on Thursday evening. As PM I feel vulnerable and
exposed and have no where to go as this involves our investigations and whilst blowing team member.
Suspended Historic Employees: The presence of employees previously identified as high risk in the historic
scandal within our workforce raises concerns. A comprehensive review of all personnel involved in the
scandal is imperative to safeguard the integrity of our business. I recommend swift action to mitigate
potential risks. How was Brian Trotter still in the business until we visited the inquiry? Regarding Steve
Bradshaw I mentioned him to four individuals in the business on four different and at a board meeting
regarding his conduct / testimony and how this would cause our business further issues however, once
again I was ignored, is this because I am PM NED? Would this be the same if another NED raised this?
Disbandment of PM Engagement Team: this team lacks credibility and has failed to deliver on the
challenges faced by the PM community hence they have no respect within the wider network. I suggest the
strategic disbandment of the team. This recommendation is reinforced by their reluctance to conduct a
survey when outcomes were not anticipated in their favour. Granting the new Postmaster Director and
oversight committee control over forums and PM engagement is essential for us to effective and PM
centric.
Investigation of NDA's: A thorough investigation into all Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA's) executed since
CEO Nick assumed office is crucial. During the select committee hearing Nick was asked if he was aware of
any such agreements and he advised No, it is crucial we are transparent with the select committee but also
to protect our CEO with accurate information, can we investigate this?
Additionally, urgent steps are required to revoke NDA's with external entities, such as Fujitsu or Second
Sight, linked to the Horizon scandal. This decision should be communicated to the public promptly in order
to show we as a board want to help with justice and the inquiry.
Role of Ben Foat: I am proposing a comprehensive review and adjustment of the job role for Ben Foat, our
Legal Counsel, this involves reassigning him to the inquiry only and limiting his involvement in various
business areas. This adjustment is fundamental for reinforcing transparency and accountability and to
change our culture and indecision.
Culture: Postmaster discrimination must end immediately, this rhetoric of “they are all on the take and are
the same” is unacceptable. What Richard was caught saying is common within the walls POL, the language
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POL00448304
used by employees can’t be spoken about Black people, Muslims or Jews because its discriminatory. The
CRO informing the board of extreme stories again is unhelpful and lacking integrity but then wanting PM’s to
pay 100% for automation and not strategic partners. The culture in this business is toxic and it needs more
PM’s involved in the entire organisation to help it refocus.
Establishment of Oversight Committee: In light of the evolving landscape, I recommend the immediate
establishment of an oversight committee ASAP, with PM Neds assuming leadership. Defining clear terms of
reference for the committee is essential to challenge cultural and procedural aspects and help ensure our
business never has untouchable employees, we must ensure we truly are PM centric.
I appreciate your attention to these matters and eagerly anticipate addressing them collectively during our
scheduled board meeting.
Regards
Saf Ismail
Non-Executive Director
100 Wood Street,
C2V 7ER