The Post Office, connectivity firm Accenture and tech giant Fujitsu have today announced they’ve agreed a handover process that will “ensure continuity and operational stability for customers and postmasters” as the problematic Horizon system is transferred to Accenture from Fujitsu.
The three organisations have jointly agreed that Fujitsu will make the handover between 1 June and 1 September next year. The final date will be confirmed in March 2027.
Get the latest convenience news via whatsapp
The Post Office’s current contract with Fujitsu runs until March 2027. A short, time-limited contract extension has also been agreed to facilitate the transition process.
Take over
The Post Office’s CEO, Neil Brocklehurst, announced in May 2026 that Accenture would be undertaking a “walk in and take over” exercise for the current Horizon system, assuming day to day operations from Fujitsu, as well as developing the back-end of the new system to replace Horizon which will be used in branches.
Alongside Accenture, the new system will be developed in partnership with OneView Commerce and Escher.
Those two suppliers “bring international experience and best practice from other postal systems and will work closely with the Post Office to introduce a simpler and more effective IT system throughout the branch network,” the Post Office said.
Brocklehurst added: “Ending our contract with Fujitsu is a critical milestone in the Post Office’s transformation, and today’s agreement secures the transition away from Fujitsu and over to Accenture safely and responsibly to achieve our target of summer 2027.
“In addition to ending our contract with Fujitsu, we’re also working at pace with our leading technology suppliers, Accenture, OneView Commerce and Escher, to build a modern, resilient platform able to make everyday life easier for customers and postmasters for years to come.”
Continue serving
Matt Prebble, head of Accenture in the UK & Ireland, said: “We understand how important it is that postmasters can continue serving their customers and communities throughout this transformation. Our priority is a safe and carefully managed transition that supports continued trading in branches.”
“Replacing Horizon is one of the biggest changes the business has undertaken…”
Sara Barlow, Post Office non-executive director and postmaster at Rainhill Post Office, also added: “Replacing Horizon is one of the biggest changes the business has undertaken and an important milestone for the future of the network.
“For me, appointing the new suppliers felt like a genuine milestone. It represented an opportunity to learn from the past while building something better for the future. There’s still a lot of work ahead, but it’s encouraging to see the focus on getting this right.”
Five-year plan
Horizon will be retired as part of Post Office’s five-year transformation plan. The transformation will see software and hardware throughout the historic institution upgraded to meet the needs of the modern customer with greater flexibility and convenience.
This agreement comes after the Chancellor announced investment for Post Office in his recent Budget, with upgrades planned for 600 branches and the rollout of up to 1,000 multi-carrier parcel Drop Boxes by the end of the financial year.
No comments yet