The UK Post Office is seeking joint venture partners in order to give two of its key support services more commercial freedom. It will keep a majority share, most likely 51%, in both its facilities management service Romec and its Employee Health Services (EHS). To become more entrepreneurial itself, the Post Office will have plc status beginning next April. According to the acting Managing Director of Post Office Services Group, Gerry Smith, the joint venture option works well in areas where there is less need for familiarity with the core business of the Post Office. “By retaining a majority share, any new joint ventures will continue to be part of The Post Office ‘family,’ but with greater freedom to act commercially, attract, recruit, and reward employees, and trade externally.”
Romec has 5,000 employees and a turnover of 160 million. The company’s services for The Post Office as well as external clients include maintenance, telecommunications installation and support, cleaning, security systems and services, design, reprographics, and project management. Employee Health Services has a turnover of 13 million, with 200 employees including doctors, nurses, and welfare counselors, who provide a wide range of occupational health services.
Based on a report from i-FM
