Yodel acquisition by InPost placed on pause
The £106m acquisition of Yodel by InPost Group has been paused following an injunction application to the High Court by Shift, the UK-based logistics platform, and Corja Holdings Limited, an entity wholly owned by Shift’s CEO Jacob Corlett.
At the recent initial hearing of the injunction application, the High Court judge sanctioned an order of undertakings placed on Yodel that restricts InPost’s ability to integrate the business, or from making any material changes spanning investment, leadership, restructuring and changes to the workforce.
Prior to the announcement of the acquisition of Yodel by InPost on 17 April 2025, Shift and Jacob Corlett formally put InPost on notice of their possession of warrants. These warrants collectively assert rights to over 66% of Yodel’s share capital – a stake that would have handed them working control of Yodel. Notwithstanding this formal notification, InPost moved to acquire the parent of Yodel with the rights still in place.
Jacob Corlett, Founder CEO of Shift and sole owner of Corja Holdings Limited, commented: “Whilst deeply frustrating that InPost announced an acquisition without clear ownership agreed, I’m pleased interim court protections are now in place. We’re confident the courts will uphold our rights. Hopefully, InPost will now review the situation properly and a meaningful dialogue can begin.
“Meanwhile, our priority remains safeguarding Yodel and its workforce and taking steps to enforce our rights through court proceedings, which I have zero doubt will be successful.”
Specifically Yodel by court order is not able to now:
- make changes to its share capital structure or issue new shares or register, approve or otherwise permit the transfer of any of its shares;
- make changes to the composition of its board of directors;
- take on new debt obligations (outside the ordinary course of business) or create any security or encumbrances;
- dispose of any assets with a market value of £25,000 or more (outside the ordinary course of business);
- enter into any commitment (save in respect of employment) with a duration of six months or more (outside the ordinary course of business);
- terminate the employment of any employees, save for gross misconduct;
- novate any contracts with customers to any other entity; or
- make any material alterations to the ‘Yodel’ brand.
If Yodel, or any Director or Officer connected with it, breaks this order they may be held to be in contempt of Court. The order will remain in place until the outcome of a hearing of the Applications takes place.
