Allan leighton royal mail
Allan Leighton is a British businessman who served as the Chairman of Royal Mail from 2008 to 2013. Here are some key facts about his tenure and career:
Background: Leighton was born in 1951 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. He studied at the University of Bradford and began his career in the retail industry, working for companies such as Tesco and Asda.
Career: Leighton joined Royal Mail in 2008 as Chairman, succeeding Sir Robert Walmsley. At the time, the company was facing significant challenges, including declining mail volumes and increased competition from private courier services.
Reforms: During his tenure, Leighton implemented several reforms aimed at modernizing Royal Mail and improving its competitiveness. These included:
- Privatization: Leighton oversaw the partial privatization of Royal Mail in 2013, which saw the company list on the London Stock Exchange.
- Cost-cutting: He implemented significant cost-cutting measures, including reducing the company's workforce and closing underperforming post offices.
- Investment in technology: Leighton invested in new technology, including automated sorting machines and digital platforms, to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
- Customer service: He focused on improving customer service, introducing new services such as parcel tracking and online ordering.
Legacy: Leighton's tenure at Royal Mail was marked by significant change and reform. While the company still faced challenges, it was better positioned to compete in a rapidly changing market. He was succeeded as Chairman by Donald Bryson in 2013.
Other roles: Leighton has held various other roles in the retail and manufacturing sectors, including:
- Asda: He served as Chief Executive of Asda, a British supermarket chain, from 1997 to 2000.
- Kraft Foods: Leighton was a non-executive director of Kraft Foods, a global food and beverage company, from 2000 to 2008.
- Other roles: He has also held roles at companies such as Tesco, Sainsbury's, and the Co-operative Group.
Overall, Allan Leighton's tenure at Royal Mail was marked by significant reform and modernization efforts, which helped the company adapt to a rapidly changing market.