Source data
Royal Mail ownership and oversight milestones, 2013 to 2025
Sources checked
- October 2013Royal Mail floats
60% sold to investors, 10% allocated to eligible employees, 30% retained by government Source 1
- June 2015Government sells half its remaining stake
15% sold at 500p a share Source 2
- 13 October 2015Final government share sale
13% sold at 455p a share, final 1% earmarked for eligible UK staff Source 3
- 16 December 2024Golden share and commitments announced
Consent rights on headquarters and tax residence Source 4
- 19 December 2024National security final order published
Measures concerning Royal Mail as a critical government supplier Source 5
- 2025EP Group reports completed acquisition
International Distribution Services includes Royal Mail and GLS Source 6
The government's exit as an ordinary shareholder and the later golden share had different purposes and rights.
Royal Mail ownership and oversight milestones, 2013 to 2025
The share prices in the early rows are historical UK government placements. The 2024 rows describe separate controls announced as part of the later IDS takeover.
| Source | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2013 | Royal Mail floats | 60% sold to investors, 10% allocated to eligible employees, 30% retained by government | Source 1 |
| June 2015 | Government sells half its remaining stake | 15% sold at 500p a share | Source 2 |
| 13 October 2015 | Final government share sale | 13% sold at 455p a share, final 1% earmarked for eligible UK staff | Source 3 |
| 16 December 2024 | Golden share and commitments announced | Consent rights on headquarters and tax residence | Source 4 |
| 19 December 2024 | National security final order published | Measures concerning Royal Mail as a critical government supplier | Source 5 |
| 2025 | EP Group reports completed acquisition | International Distribution Services includes Royal Mail and GLS | Source 6 |