PO Counters md goes to top Royal Mail post

Post Office Counters managing director Richard Dykes is to become md of the Royal Mail – the letter delivery division of the Post Office.

Dykes, who was responsible for appointing J Walter Thompson to handle its 5m ad budget in January replaces Peter Howarth who is retiring. He will start on May 13.

Dykes will be responsible for the biggest business arm of the PO, which handles 70 million letters a day and employs almost 160,000 people.

During his time at PO Counters, Dykes developed a number of new business areas in a bid to make the PO more commercial.

This included its move last year into the insurance sector with the launch of travel cover in association with General Accident. He also oversaw the recent introduction of PO Counters’ over the counter sampling scheme Counterpoint, which enables grocery manufacturers to target specific consumer groups.

Dykes will be replaced at PO Counters by Stuart Sweetman, assistant managing director for Royal Mail.