Novak to head Mail reform unit

Royal Mail media markets managing director Adam Novak is to head a new unit set up to address how the organisation’s competitors can access the network.

Royal Mail has created the unit and Novak’s new post of director and general manager wholesale in response to the liberalisation of the postal market. Royal Mail is to lose its monopoly status and must open its network to other suppliers.

In his new role, Novak reports to Royal Mail managing director Jerry Cope. This is the latest in a round of high-profile appointments made by Royal Mail this month, and follows the appointment of Paul Rich as deputy managing director and marketing director.

Novak’s responsibilities will include liaising with regulators Postcomm and Postwatch, developing products that adhere to industry standards on how the network is accessed, and drawing up pricing plans. Novak says that eventually he will establish a sales and marketing team, but that it is too early to know how big the team will be.

He says: “The role is entirely new, is strategic and of significant commercial importance to Royal Mail. It will help shape the future of the postal industry in the UK.”

Novak will continue to represent Royal Mail on various industry bodies, such as the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers, the Advertising Association and the Institute of Direct Marketing, but admits that in the future he may have to resign from them due to conflict.

Before joining the postal services operator in 1991, Novak held marketing positions at MB Caradon, Johnson Wax and Crown Paints.