We wanted to update you on the takeover offer from EP UK Bidco Limited (EP Group) to acquire International Distribution Services plc (IDS), the parent company of Royal Mail Group.

As a valued customer of Royal Mail Wholesale, I wanted to let you know that EP Group has confirmed (30 April) that it is the new majority owner of IDS.

The takeover offer was made to IDS shareholders by way of a formal offer document published by EP Group in June 2024. In August last year, the timetable for the takeover offer was suspended under the rules of the Takeover Code to allow time for a series of regulatory approvals to be obtained.

On 2 April 2025, it was announced that all necessary regulatory approvals have now been secured. Now, shareholders holding 80.06% of IDS shares have accepted the offer meaning the takeover has today become unconditional. IDS will now be delisted from the London Stock Exchange, which is expected to take 20 working days.

EP Group is a long-term investor that believes IDS has the potential to become one of the leading postal logistics groups in Europe. They also recognise that this will require successful transformation, modernisation (including Universal Service reform for Royal Mail), investment in out-of-home solutions and a clear focus on growth.

You can read the LSE announcement via this link. If you would like to know more about the acquisition, all the public documents are available here. This includes the formal offer document and certain contractual undertakings agreed between the EP Group and the UK Government. These undertakings reflect Royal Mail’s unique role in society and protect the Universal Service, employees and wider stakeholder interests.

It’s important to say that everyone at Royal Mail remains focused on business as usual and continuing to deliver great service for customers ?" yours and ours.