Latest news with #RoyalMail
The Guardian
23 minutes ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Emma Gilthorpe resigns as chief executive of Royal Mail
The chief executive of Royal Mail has left after just over a year, weeks after the delivery company's owner was sold for £3.6bn to a Czech billionaire. Emma Gilthorpe, who joined from Heathrow in May 2024, left the company on Thursday and will be replaced on an interim basis by the chief operating officer, Alistair Cochrane, with immediate effect, the Guardian has learned. Daniel Křetínský completed a deal to buy International Distribution Services (IDS), the owner of the 509-year-old Royal Mail, in April. A group of existing IDS non-executive directors, including the chair, Keith Williams, resigned earlier this month. However, the company had made no mention of Gilthorpe's future after the deal. Gilthorpe had been the chief operating officer at Heathrow airport since 2020, and joined Royal Mail in a newly created role under Martin Seidenberg, who is chief executive of IDS. She had also held positions in the telecoms industry, with BT and Cable & Wireless. Seidenberg said: 'Emma has worked tirelessly to drive forward Royal Mail's transformation, and I would like to extend my personal thanks to her for the significant contribution she has made to the company.' Gilthorpe said: 'I will always be incredibly proud to have led Royal Mail … I look forward to seeing Royal Mail continue to transform in the years ahead, ensuring a stronger and more sustainable future for this great British company.' Cochrane joined Royal Mail in 2023 from Whistl, where he was chief executive. He has also held senior roles at TNT Express and Parcelforce Worldwide. Seidenberg added: 'Alistair Cochrane is an exceptional leader and brings significant experience to his new role from across the logistics industry, and from his time with us at both Royal Mail and Parcelforce.' Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Křetínský's EP Group clinched the IDS deal after long-running UK government efforts to assess the national security considerations of the deal. The Conservative former trade policy minister Greg Hands was this month appointed as a strategic adviser to EP Group.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Post delays in Cumbria lead to 'missed appointments'
Delays to postal deliveries, which some people say have caused them to miss medical appointments, "must be fixed", an MP has in Cumbria have taken to social media to complain about receiving notifications of appointments after they were due to attend, leading the MP for Penrith and Solway Markus Campbell-Savours to set up a meeting with Royal Mail Communication Workers Union (CWU) said the main causes were staff vacancies and postal workers being overloaded with mail which has to be returned to sorting Mail said: "We are working hard to ensure that all residents in Penrith and Solway receive their mail reliably and on time." Among the complaints on social media was one from a resident who "missed a medical appointment last week as the letter came this week".Another said a medical letter relating to their child took 20 days to arrive meaning "they then removed my child from the waiting list because they hadn't heard from me".Others shared late arriving birthday cards and claimed they were without a mobile phone for more than a week while waiting for a SIM card which had been posted first class. 'Bit of a disaster' Labour MP Campbell-Savours told BBC Radio Cumbria: "We need this issue fixed. People are very reliant on the mail service."If you're missing surgery dates and meetings with consultants and you're elderly and there aren't better ways to communicate, it's a bit of a disaster and I want to see it stopped."A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "We are meeting with Mr Campbell-Savours to discuss concerns about deliveries in his constituency." Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Farron said he was also seeing problems in his area."This is not the postie's fault," Farron blamed decisions taken by senior Royal Mail managers leading to an unmanageable upcoming closure of the Sedburgh and Appleby sorting offices meant there was more pressure on Kendal and Penrith centres, he Cumbria and North Lancashire branch of the CWU said there were 10 vacancies at both the Penrith and Kendal sorting starters had also left the business due to the "extreme workload" and were on worse terms and conditions than existing staff, according to the union. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- South Wales Guardian
Man admits murdering and beheading girlfriend
Ewan Methven, now 27, murdered Phoenix Spencer-Horn, 21, in the home they shared on November 16 last year, after the couple ordered a takeaway to their flat in Glen Lee, East Kilbride, on a Saturday night. Earlier that day, Methven, who worked as a postman for Royal Mail, had complained to his girlfriend that her waitress shifts made him 'lonely', and she had exchanged messages with her mother, Alison Spencer, at around 9.37pm, saying they were eating dinner. The couple had been together for two years and met at a family party, the High Court in Glasgow was told. At around midnight on the Saturday, Methven attacked Miss Spencer-Horn with three knives, stabbing her 20 times, before mutilating her body and severing her head with three knives, the court heard. He spent the weekend driving Miss Spencer-Horn's red Corsa, scrolling through her phone and searching for internet pornography, as well as making several attempts to buy cocaine, according to prosecutors. Prosecutor Christopher McKenna said: 'The accused murdered his girlfriend, Phoenix Spencer-Horn, in the top-floor flat they shared. Late on Saturday November 16, he strangled her and stabbed her. He dialled 999, but not until November 18. 'Her mutilated and decapitated body was discovered only on November 18.' The court heard Miss Spencer-Horn had seen her mother the day before and had been in good spirits at work the day she was murdered. Mr McKenna said: 'The police recovered texts between the accused and Phoenix, he complained of feeling lonely because of the hours she worked and he apologised.' The court heard a food order was placed around 8pm and Methven 'did not appear to be drunk or under the influence by the delivery driver', however in a 999 call he claimed the murder happened when he had a psychotic episode induced by cocaine, alcohol and steroids. On Tuesday, Methven pleaded guilty to murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice at the High Court in Glasgow. Mr McKenna said: 'Around midnight, downstairs neighbours heard footsteps and increased activities. 'At around that time, or shortly after midnight, the accused attacked Phoenix, compressing her neck and repeated stabbing her.' He told the court at around 2.40am, Methven messaged a drug dealer to seek drugs, and sent similar messages the following day and in the early hours of November 18. He also exchanged messages with Miss Spencer-Horn's mother, claiming the couple had been 'drunk' and that her daughter was asleep, the court heard. Methven said in one text: 'Hey, Phe isn't up yet, I'll get her to text you when she is x.' Prosecutor Mr McKenna said: 'In the early hours of that morning, between texting Alison, the accused looked for pornography on his phone. 'The accused, using Phoenix's phone, pretended to be her in messages to Alison.' One message sent from the victim's phone read: 'Hey, sorry just woke up xxx.' On November 18, Miss Spencer-Horn was absent from work and could not be contacted. Around midday, Methven made a 999 call and told an operator: 'I had a psychotic break and killed my wife.' He said: 'We were messing about, I take steroids and was taking cocaine and alcohol, I think there was something else in it… it was f****** horrible.' He was transferred to a senior police officer, and said: 'I just want to go to jail,' and added: 'I'm not violent. I have been out my face, I can't remember what happened. I have been driving about all weekend.' Emergency services discovered Miss Spencer-Horn's mutilated body hidden under a towel. Methven admitted attempting to remove the limbs and torso from her body with a knife or other instrument. Pathologists believe Miss Spencer-Horn may have been attacked in the bathroom before being dragged into the hall, but a bloodied knife was also found in the bedroom, the court heard. A post-mortem examination on November 19 established the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest. Defending, Tony Graham KC said Methven had wanted to plead guilty to 'provide closure'. Mr Graham added: 'Those related to Phoenix, those who were her friends, and society at large, are likely to regard him as the personification of evil. 'He knows those who are related to Phoenix will never forgive him, as he will never forgive himself. 'He can't provide an explanation.' Judge Lord Matthews said: 'You pleaded guilty to an appalling crime, the only punishment for which is life imprisonment.' Sentencing will take place on July 14. Detective Chief Inspector Susie Cairns said: 'My thoughts remain with Phoenix's family and friends as they continue to try to come to terms with what happened. 'Methven now faces the consequences of his actions. 'Violence such as this is never acceptable in our communities, and we will work tirelessly to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.'
ITV News
3 days ago
- ITV News
Scottish postman admits brutally murdering girlfriend
A man has admitted murdering and decapitating his 21-year-old girlfriend before texting her mother pretending to be her. Ewan Methven, now 27, murdered Phoenix Spencer-Horn, 21, in the home they shared on November 16 last year, after the couple ordered a takeaway to their flat in Glen Lee, East Kilbride, on a Saturday night. Earlier that day, Methven, who worked as a postman for Royal Mail, had complained to his girlfriend that her waitress shifts made him 'lonely', and she had exchanged messages with her mother, Alison Spencer, at around 9.37pm, saying they were eating dinner. The couple had been together for two years and met at a family party, the High Court in Glasgow was told. At around midnight on the Saturday, Methven attacked Miss Spencer-Horn with three knives, stabbing her 20 times, before mutilating her body and severing her head with three knives, the court heard. He spent the weekend driving Miss Spencer-Horn's red Corsa, scrolling through her phone and searching for internet pornography, as well as making several attempts to buy cocaine, the court heard. Prosecutors revealed he dialled 999 on November 18, two days after he attacked Ms Spencer-Horn. The court heard Ms Spencer-Horn had seen her mother the day before and had been in good spirits at work the day she was murdered. The court heard a food order was placed around 8pm and Methven 'did not appear to be drunk or under the influence by the delivery driver', however in a 999 call he claimed the murder happened when he had a psychotic episode induced by cocaine, alcohol and steroids. On Tuesday, Methven pleaded guilty to murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice at the High Court in Glasgow. Prosecutor Christopher McKenna told the court at around 2.40am, Methven messaged a drug dealer to seek drugs, and sent similar messages the following day and in the early hours of November 18. He also exchanged messages with Ms Spencer-Horn's mother, claiming the couple had been 'drunk' and that her daughter was asleep, the court heard. Methven said in one text: 'Hey, Phe isn't up yet, I'll get her to text you when she is x.' On November 18, Ms Spencer-Horn was absent from work and could not be contacted. Around midday, Methven made a 999 call and told an operator: 'I had a psychotic break and killed my wife.' He said: 'We were messing about, I take steroids and was taking cocaine and alcohol, I think there was something else in it… it was f****** horrible.' He was transferred to a senior police officer, and said: 'I just want to go to jail,' and added: 'I'm not violent. I have been out my face, I can't remember what happened. I have been driving about all weekend.' Emergency services discovered Ms Spencer-Horn's mutilated body hidden under a towel. Methven admitted attempting to remove the limbs and torso from her body with a knife or other instrument. Pathologists believe Ms Spencer-Horn may have been attacked in the bathroom before being dragged into the hall, but a bloodied knife was also found in the bedroom, the court heard. Defending, Tony Graham KC said Methven had wanted to plead guilty to 'provide closure'. Mr Graham added: 'Those related to Phoenix, those who were her friends, and society at large, are likely to regard him as the personification of evil. 'He knows those who are related to Phoenix will never forgive him, as he will never forgive himself.'He can't provide an explanation." Judge Lord Matthews said: 'You pleaded guilty to an appalling crime, the only punishment for which is life imprisonment.' Sentencing will take place on July 14.
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Leader Live
Man admits murdering and beheading girlfriend
Ewan Methven, now 27, murdered Phoenix Spencer-Horn, 21, in the home they shared on November 16 last year, after the couple ordered a takeaway to their flat in Glen Lee, East Kilbride, on a Saturday night. Earlier that day, Methven, who worked as a postman for Royal Mail, had complained to his girlfriend that her waitress shifts made him 'lonely', and she had exchanged messages with her mother, Alison Spencer, at around 9.37pm, saying they were eating dinner. The couple had been together for two years and met at a family party, the High Court in Glasgow was told. At around midnight on the Saturday, Methven attacked Miss Spencer-Horn with three knives, stabbing her 20 times, before mutilating her body and severing her head with three knives, the court heard. He spent the weekend driving Miss Spencer-Horn's red Corsa, scrolling through her phone and searching for internet pornography, as well as making several attempts to buy cocaine, according to prosecutors. Prosecutor Christopher McKenna said: 'The accused murdered his girlfriend, Phoenix Spencer-Horn, in the top-floor flat they shared. Late on Saturday November 16, he strangled her and stabbed her. He dialled 999, but not until November 18. 'Her mutilated and decapitated body was discovered only on November 18.' The court heard Miss Spencer-Horn had seen her mother the day before and had been in good spirits at work the day she was murdered. Mr McKenna said: 'The police recovered texts between the accused and Phoenix, he complained of feeling lonely because of the hours she worked and he apologised.' The court heard a food order was placed around 8pm and Methven 'did not appear to be drunk or under the influence by the delivery driver', however in a 999 call he claimed the murder happened when he had a psychotic episode induced by cocaine, alcohol and steroids. On Tuesday, Methven pleaded guilty to murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice at the High Court in Glasgow. Mr McKenna said: 'Around midnight, downstairs neighbours heard footsteps and increased activities. 'At around that time, or shortly after midnight, the accused attacked Phoenix, compressing her neck and repeated stabbing her.' He told the court at around 2.40am, Methven messaged a drug dealer to seek drugs, and sent similar messages the following day and in the early hours of November 18. He also exchanged messages with Miss Spencer-Horn's mother, claiming the couple had been 'drunk' and that her daughter was asleep, the court heard. Methven said in one text: 'Hey, Phe isn't up yet, I'll get her to text you when she is x.' Prosecutor Mr McKenna said: 'In the early hours of that morning, between texting Alison, the accused looked for pornography on his phone. 'The accused, using Phoenix's phone, pretended to be her in messages to Alison.' One message sent from the victim's phone read: 'Hey, sorry just woke up xxx.' On November 18, Miss Spencer-Horn was absent from work and could not be contacted. Around midday, Methven made a 999 call and told an operator: 'I had a psychotic break and killed my wife.' He said: 'We were messing about, I take steroids and was taking cocaine and alcohol, I think there was something else in it… it was f****** horrible.' He was transferred to a senior police officer, and said: 'I just want to go to jail,' and added: 'I'm not violent. I have been out my face, I can't remember what happened. I have been driving about all weekend.' Emergency services discovered Miss Spencer-Horn's mutilated body hidden under a towel. Methven admitted attempting to remove the limbs and torso from her body with a knife or other instrument. Pathologists believe Miss Spencer-Horn may have been attacked in the bathroom before being dragged into the hall, but a bloodied knife was also found in the bedroom, the court heard. A post-mortem examination on November 19 established the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest. Defending, Tony Graham KC said Methven had wanted to plead guilty to 'provide closure'. Mr Graham added: 'Those related to Phoenix, those who were her friends, and society at large, are likely to regard him as the personification of evil. 'He knows those who are related to Phoenix will never forgive him, as he will never forgive himself. 'He can't provide an explanation.' Judge Lord Matthews said: 'You pleaded guilty to an appalling crime, the only punishment for which is life imprisonment.' Sentencing will take place on July 14. Detective Chief Inspector Susie Cairns said: 'My thoughts remain with Phoenix's family and friends as they continue to try to come to terms with what happened. 'Methven now faces the consequences of his actions. 'Violence such as this is never acceptable in our communities, and we will work tirelessly to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.'
