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Witness Name: Kimberley Wildsmith
Statement No. WITN05750100
Exhibits: None
Dated: 3 March 2023
Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry
FIRST WITNESS STATEMENT OF KIMBERLEY WILDSMITH
I, Kimberley Wildsmith, will say as follows:
1s
2,
I began working for the Post Office on a Youth Training Scheme (YTS) circa
1990, after approximately a year I started working in the Regional Head Office
in Sheffield, which later closed and the work moved to Leeds, as did I. I do not
recall what year this was. After leaving the Post Office I took a short break but
went back to work at the Post Office in Rotherham before moving to the
Network Business Support Centre (NBSC), firstly on Tier 1 then on Tier 2. I
am not sure when this was. I moved to another section within the NBSC but I
do not recall what this was called, before I became a Problem Manager. I
think I left Post Office Ltd in 2006.
I did not have any qualifications.
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3. When I started on the YTS I received on the job training on the post office
counter and later when I worked at Rotherham Post Office. Prior to starting at
the NBSC on Tier 1 I had classroom based training for 2 or 3 weeks I think. I
don't recall going on any training courses when I moved to Tier 2 or when I
started as a Problem Manager.
4. My time with the Post Office is explained in paragraph 1 above.
Advice and assistance
5. Ihad direct contact with Subpostmasters and Post Office branches whilst
working at the NBSC. The NBSC was a helpline for Post Offices. Post Offices
would contact the NBSC and I was one of many people available to answer
their queries.
6. Whilst working at the NBSC, I provided assistance to Subpostmasters and
Post Office branches. They would call the NBSC if they had a query about
counter services or procedures.
7. Asystem called the ‘knowledge base’ was available to all staff at the NBSC to
answer queries. A separate team was responsible for keeping the information
on the Knowledge base up to date. As far as I recall you could search for
information on the knowledge base using keywords or by using drop down
menus.
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8. I do not know if there were specific issues or difficulties with the Horizon
system as I cannot remember.
9. I do not recall raising any specific concerns or issues with the Horizon system
and I cannot recollect my colleagues raising any concerns or issues.
10. I do not know if there was anyone that could have assisted or made things
better for Post Offices.
Training
11.1 was not responsible for managing the contracts of Subpostmasters.
12.1 was not responsible for training Subpostmasters.
13.1 was not involved in any training for Subpostmasters.
Errors or issues with Horizon System
14.As I left the Post Office over 15 years ago I am unable to specify the types of
problems I dealt with when working as a Problem Manageras I cannot
remember.
15.I cannot recall how issues or problems were raised generally with the Problem
Management Team.
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16.When I worked on the NBSC I used the Knowledge Base to answer queries.
Resolution of disputes
17.1 was not involved in or party to any disputes regarding any alleged shortfalls
of money between the Post Office and Subpostmasters.
18.1 do not know how disputes were raised or resolved.
19.1 did not have any contact or input from Fujitsu in the resolution of any
disputes.
20.As I was not involved in the resolution of disputes, I cannot say how this
process could have been improved.
21.As I left the Post Office over 15 years ago, I am unable to recall if there were
specific issues or problems relating to the Horizon system.
Statement of Truth
I believe the content of this statement to be true.
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Dated: 3 WAR O03
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