BHM – Nathan

Throughout Black History Month, we’ll be celebrating our amazing black colleagues by bringing you stories from across the business.

All the colleague profiles we publish on myroyalmail.com will also appear on our dedicated Black History Month homepage. If you know someone who has inspired you as a great role model for others, someone who you think deserves recognition, please send your nomination to groupcommunications@royalmail.com with the heading ‘Black History Month’ in the subject line.

Today, we hear from field account manager, Nathan Osbourne.

‘I started my Post Office career (as that’s what we were called then!) with Parcelforce Worldwide, at the London Sales Centre in West Ham in March 1993,’ said Nathan. ‘I had previously worked in the civil service and at BT prior to joining Parcelforce as a telephone sales advisor covering the Essex areas of Colchester and Chelmsford.

‘In July 1994, Royal Mail’s London Division were starting up a new sales centre, so were looking for sales staff. I was one of six of us who left Parcelforce to join Royal Mail at Rathbone Place in London. I started as a telephone account manager (JV4) looking after public sector customers, ie, schools and colleges mostly.

‘An account executive (JV3) position came up and I applied. I was fortunate to perform well at the interview and was offered an account manager (JV2) role. As part of that promotion, I joined a team working on central government accounts, ie, the Inland Revenue, HM Customs & Excise and other smaller accounts.

‘Over the years due to restructuring, I’ve worked in different sales roles as well as a spell in marketing, working on the forerunner to Mailmark.

‘Since 2011, I have been looking after public sector customers covering Wales, the West Midlands and the North West as a SB9 field account manager. I really enjoy meeting my customers and selling our services to assist them in meeting their communication/logistic needs and objectives.

‘I work in a great team with supportive colleagues, who are always happy to help. I also work in the sales diversity & inclusion group, as one of the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) leads, which again, has a lovely team, who all take a great interest in BAME activities.

‘My advice to any new BAME starters in Royal Mail would be: take the opportunities the business offers, whether they be formal qualifications or on-the-job training, to take your career development forward. There are many supporters within Royal Mail who want to see BAME representation higher up within the organisation and would be happy to assist in that aim.’

Supporting our BAME colleagues

Making our business a place where black, Asian and minority ethnic colleagues can achieve their potential remains a priority.

Career progression is a key focus as we work towards improving the representation of colleagues from BAME backgrounds across all levels of the business. We need to build greater awareness that the network exists and is there to support our people and shine a light on all the good positive things we are doing across the business. 

If you are thinking about holding a BAME cultural event in your unit, and need some help, please reach out to the BAME steering group, or volunteer to help out with their activities. You can contact the group by emailing bame@royalmail.com.