By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
Chris Brocklesby, the technology chief at the Post Office, is set to leave his role on September 6 after a one year tenure, as the effort to replace the beleaguered Horizon IT system experiences significant delays and escalating costs. Brocklesby, who was brought on board as "chief transformation officer" in August 2023, will be leaving as confirmed in a message from the acting chief executive, Owen Woodley, to Post Office staff.
The Post Office has been facing significant challenges in its attempts to phase out the Horizon computer system, originally supplied by Fujitsu. A previous plan to construct a new system based on Amazon’s cloud computing technology was scrapped in 2022. Consequently, the organization has spent over £95 million to extend the Horizon contract until April 2024. The Post Office cited the age and complexity of the Horizon system as reasons why transitioning to a new system is proving to be too expensive and technically daunting.
It is speculated that a fully operational replacement system might not be ready until the end of the decade. Horizon, which was developed by the company formerly known as ICL, has been in operation since 1999 following a problematic development phase. The system's faulty data led to the wrongful convictions of hundreds of sub postmasters for theft and false accounting, marking one of the largest miscarriages of justice in British history. An inquiry into the scandal is currently ongoing.
In 2015, the Post Office commissioned IBM to create a new system to replace Horizon, but that project was ultimately abandoned. Despite these setbacks, a spokesperson for the Post Office, which operates as a private entity fully owned by the government, praised Brocklesby for his contributions. The spokesperson stated that he had "provided a strong foundation for the work to replace Horizon and set up the wider business for long term success."
The Post Office has indicated that pilots for the new system are currently being tested in five branches and has sought financial support from the Department for Business and Trade to continue the replacement project. "The Post Office and the Department for Business and Trade are collaborating on this funding request, and we will keep our Postmasters informed as soon as an agreement is reached," the company noted.
Brocklesby will be succeeded by Andy Nice, the former transformation director at Camelot.
