What Happened to Paula Vennells? Where is Paula Vennells Now?
by Swetha P
Updated Jan 02, 2024
What Happened to Paula Vennells?
Paula Vennells, former CEO of Post Office Limited, played a central role in the real-life drama depicted in the ITV series "Mr Bates vs The Post Office." Under her leadership from 2012 to 2019, the Post Office prosecuted numerous subpostmasters and mistresses based on flawed information from the Horizon computer system.
Despite evidence of the system's unreliability, Vennells maintained its robustness, leading to a significant miscarriage of justice. In the aftermath of the scandal, Vennells faced criticism and legal battles. She eventually issued an apology for the suffering caused to the wrongly accused subpostmasters.
Subsequently, In 2021, amidst continued controversy, Vennells decided to step down from various board positions, recognizing that her association with the Post Office had become a distracting factor. Notably, efforts are ongoing to revoke the CBE she was awarded in the 2019 New Year Honours List for her services to the Post Office and charity.
Who is Paula Vennells?
Paula Vennells is a British businesswoman and former Anglican priest who served as the CEO of Post Office Limited from 2012 to 2019. Her tenure witnessed the controversial prosecutions of subpostmasters based on faulty information from the Horizon computer system. Vennells' involvement in the Post Office scandal led to legal battles, public apologies, and her eventual resignation from multiple board positions.
Apart from her role at the Post Office, Vennells held positions in companies such as Morrisons Plc and played roles in government advisory groups. She is an ordained Church of England Minister, though she stepped back from regular parish ministry in the wake of the scandal. Vennells received a CBE in 2019, but there is an ongoing effort to have the honor revoked due to her connection to the Post Office controversy.
Where is Paula Vennells Now?
Following her departure from the Post Office, Paula Vennells assumed the role of chair at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. However, her tenure encountered challenges as pressure mounted, prompting an independent review of her recruitment process. Amidst ongoing legal proceedings and significant developments such as the overturning of convictions in 2021, Vennells opted to step down from her position within the NHS trust.
Expressing a renewed commitment, she redirected her attention towards collaborating with the government's inquiry into the Post Office scandal. This independent public statutory inquiry continues its investigation into the events surrounding the Post Office and the Horizon IT system, with Vennells actively engaged in the process.
What Happened to Paula Vennells - FAQs
Yes, she apologized for the suffering caused to the wrongly convicted subpostmasters.
She was the CEO from 2012 to 2019.
There is no widespread information on her current engagements.
Yes, she indicated her intention to work with the ongoing government inquiry.
She stepped down from various roles and resigned amidst pressure but faced ongoing scrutiny regarding her CBE recognition.