Post Office chiefs are set to unveil their five-year strategy next month.

The long-awaited strategy follows a decision at the end of last year to put corporatisation plans on the backburner.

A presentation is due to be made to the Department for Enterprise first and then the Council of Ministers. After that, a presentation will be given to all other Tynwald members.

’We do need to look at the five-year strategy, bring that forward to everybody so that they are fully aware of the challenges that the Post Office faces,’ chairman Julie Edge told Tynwald last week.

’But, it is still a statutory board of Government that returns a profit to Treasury.’

Lawrie Hooper (LibVannin, Ramsey) was angry that corporatisation proposals seemed to have been ditched, without going through Tynwald.

’I was under the impression that this honourable court was our parliament, our national government that made national policy,’ he said.

’Tynwald resolved nearly two years ago to create the Isle of Man Post Office as a company under Isle of Man company law.’

Ms Edge said the part that Tynwald had agreed was the drawing up of articles of association, to be brought back to Tynwald.

’I have not said we are not doing that, I have just said we have postponed that process at the present time,’ she added.

Simon Kneen has been announced as the new Post Office chief executive, will be responsible for delivering and implementing the plan.

Mr Kneen, who is director of innovation and technology, will take up the role on February 1.

He said: ’As a Manxman I am honoured to be afforded the opportunity to lead the Post Office at a time when the business faces a number of key challenges.

’The postal industry is a rapidly changing field which poses lots of challenges whilst also opportunities for Isle of Man Post Office.

’I am very much looking forward to undertaking the role and helping to shape the business to be a modern and fit for purpose Post Office in this era of ever-increasing digital advancements and changing customer habits with physical mail’.

Ms Edge said: ’The board are looking forward to working with Mr Kneen and wish to extend our appreciation to Lisa Duckworth, who has been interim chief executive, for her hard work, dedication and commitment to the role’.