Royal Mail Group plc
British postal service and courier company operating the Universal Service Obligation for UK mail delivery, owned by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský's EP Group.
Company Type
public
Founded
1516
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Stock
LSE: RMG
About Royal Mail Group plc
EP Group is the investment vehicle of Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský, a prominent investor with interests across energy, media, and infrastructure. Křetínský has built a reputation for acquiring and transforming established companies across Europe.
EP Group's acquisition of Royal Mail represents its strategic investment in essential infrastructure services. The company has committed to maintaining Royal Mail's Universal Service Obligation while investing in modernization and operational improvements.
Under EP Group ownership, Royal Mail continues to operate as a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, with EP Group serving as the majority shareholder and strategic decision-maker.
History of Royal Mail Group plc
Royal Mail traces its origins to 1516 when Henry VIII established a national postal service under the Royal Charter. The service evolved over centuries, becoming a cornerstone of British communication infrastructure. In 1635, Charles I made the service available to the public, establishing the foundation for modern postal services.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Royal Mail operated as a government department before becoming a public corporation in 1969 under the Post Office Act. The company continued under public ownership until the controversial privatization in 2013, when it was listed on the London Stock Exchange.
The most significant recent change came in 2024 when Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský's EP Group acquired Royal Mail for £3.6 billion. This acquisition marked the end of British ownership and brought the company under foreign control for the first time in its 500-year history.
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Royal Mail Group plc owns 0 brands in our database.
Stock Information
Royal Mail Group plc Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Essential infrastructure with Universal Service Obligation
- +Extensive delivery network covering all UK addresses
- +Established brand with 500-year heritage
- +Diversified revenue streams from postal and parcel services
- +Growing e-commerce parcel delivery market
Considerations
- -Competition from private courier companies and digital communication
- -Regulatory obligations and Universal Service costs
- -Labor relations challenges with postal worker unions
- -Declining letter volumes due to digital alternatives
- -Foreign ownership concerns and regulatory scrutiny
Frequently Asked Questions About Royal Mail Group plc
Is Royal Mail owned by another company?
Yes, Royal Mail is majority-owned by EP Group, the investment vehicle of Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský. EP Group acquired Royal Mail in 2024 through a £3.6 billion takeover and now serves as the controlling shareholder.
Is Royal Mail publicly traded?
Yes, Royal Mail continues to be publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol RMG. However, EP Group holds a majority stake, giving it controlling influence over the company's operations and strategic direction.
When was Royal Mail founded?
Royal Mail traces its origins to 1516 when Henry VIII established a national postal service under Royal Charter. The service has evolved over 500 years from a government department to a privatized company and now to foreign ownership.
Who created Royal Mail?
Royal Mail was established by King Henry VIII in 1516 through a Royal Charter that created a national postal service. The service evolved over centuries under various forms of government and private ownership before its current structure.
What is Royal Mail's market position?
Royal Mail holds a unique position as the UK's Universal Service Obligation provider, ensuring mail delivery to every address in the country. The company faces increasing competition in parcel delivery while maintaining its monopoly on letter delivery services.
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