Horizon IT Inquiry jointly appoints Dame Sandra Dawson and Dr Katy Steward as Governance Expert Witnesses

Experienced experts instructed to produce reports into corporate governance and culture at Post Office Ltd 

The Chair of the Inquiry, Sir Wyn Williams, has jointly appointed Dame Sandra Dawson and Dr Katy Steward to the role of Governance Expert Witnesses. Dame Sandra and Dr Steward have been instructed to produce two reports addressing issues relating to leadership, management and governance.   

Their work will support Phase 5 and 6 of the Inquiry's hearings, which will include evidence addressing the corporate responses to the scandal and what arrangements were in place within the Post Office and Government (including UKGI) to ensure appropriate governance, management and oversight.     

Dame Sandra Dawson is Professor Emerita of Management Studies, University of Cambridge and fellow, formerly master, of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. She acted as the expert member on organisation, governance and leadership on the Expert Advisory Group on the Windrush Lessons Learned Review and regularly advises on leadership, governance and organisation structure. 

Policy governance expert visiting scholar at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge from 2022 to 2023, Dr Katy Steward will work in partnership with Dame Sandra. Dr Steward has extensive experience of scrutinising hospital boards on performance, and advising on governance, leadership and culture.  

A full list of the phases of the Inquiry is set out here.    

Ends. 

Notes to editors: 

1. Dame Sandra Dawson has 30 years of practical experience as a board member of listed and privately owned commercial corporations, public institutions and charitable bodies.  

2. Dr Katy Steward has spent 20 years in the NHS, working with the Foundation Trust regulator, Monitor, and the think tank, The Kings Fund, and has sat on charity and public sector boards for 10 years.