Royal Mail's 500-years: From Henry VIII to private ownership
A Royal Mail worker at a Royal Mail depot in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, Britain, May 29, 2024. (EPA Photo)


Royal Mail's parent company, International Distributions Services (IDS) said Wednesday it agreed to be acquired by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky for 3.57 billion pounds ($4.55 billion).

Here is a brief history of the over 500-year-old company – one of the most iconic in the U.K. – which has recently struggled with worker strikes, lower volumes and increased regulatory scrutiny over missed delivery targets.

1516: King Henry VIII creates a countrywide postal network that operates only for the King and the Court for the next 119 years.

1635: King Charles I opens the service to the public.

1784: The service is christened the "Royal Mail" as mail coaches become a familiar sight across the country.

1883: Parcel Post is launched, reflecting the need for personal and business customers to send more than just a letter.

1990: Royal Mail Parcels is re-branded as Parcelforce.

1999: Royal Mail acquires German Parcel, which is later re-branded as GLS (General Logistics Systems).

2010: Moya Greene becomes Royal Mail's first woman CEO.

2011: The Postal Services Act is passed, allowing private buyers to own up to 90% of Royal Mail and staff up to 10%.

2013: Royal Mail is taken public on Oct. 15, with a market capitalization of 3.3 billion pounds.

2018: Rico Back, a GLS founding member, becomes CEO. His 1.8 billion-pound program to turn Royal Mail profitable by 2024 is derailed by labor unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Rico Back steps down as CEO and Martin Seidenberg becomes CEO of GLS.

Postal workers are key in delivering millions of COVID-19 testing kits across Britain.

Royal Mail is embroiled in a two-year-long dispute with the CWU, its largest labor union, over working conditions and workplace culture.

2021: Simon Thompson becomes CEO of Royal Mail.

2022: Royal Mail is renamed International Distributions Services. It posts a 1 billion pound annual loss due to sliding revenue and worker strikes.

Vesa Equity, controlled by Kretinsky increased its stake to over 25%, from 22%, with the British government's permission.

2023: Thompson steps down as CEO due to failed union talks. Seidenberg is named group CEO and workers accept a pay deal.

April 2024: Heathrow executive Emma Gilthorpe named new CEO of IDS' Royal Mail business.

April, May 2024: Kretinsky's first nonbinding bid is rejected and he sweetens his bid, which IDS accepts.