Delivery giant Evri has announced plans to hire 9,000 new staff in the UK as a result of its recent multi-billion pound takeover. The company, which was bought by private equity firm Apollo Global Management for £2.7bn last week, is looking to employ 8,000 more couriers and around 1,000 warehouse and support roles.
The recruitment drive will see key locations such as Scotland, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, Plymouth in Devon, and Gatwick Airport benefit from the new jobs. According to Evri, couriers can expect to earn around £16.50 per hour.
The decision to increase its workforce comes as the company experiences a surge in parcel deliveries, with volumes currently surpassing those seen during the COVID pandemic. With the addition of these new staff members, Evri’s workforce of self-employed couriers will reach approximately 28,000, enabling the company to deliver up to four million parcels daily.
The acquisition of Evri by Apollo Global Management was first reported by media outlet Sky News, with the private equity firm beating out competitors such as Chinese retailer JD.com and delivery company DHL. Evri, formerly known as Hermes until its rebranding in 2022, has acknowledged recent complaints about its level of service, including delayed and missing deliveries. However, the company has since invested millions of pounds in improvements and states that 99% of deliveries are now made on time.
Martijn De Lange, Evri’s chief executive, commented on the company’s growth and commitment to customer satisfaction, stating, “New client wins and increased parcel volumes are proof of the trust customers have in our service and our biggest-ever recruitment drive promises to deliver another record year.”
With around 720 million parcels delivered annually and serving approximately 12 million customers per week, Evri’s major clients include retailers Marks & Spencer and John Lewis, as well as online platforms Etsy and Vinted.
In related business news, the Chancellor is set to unveil cuts to address a reported “£20bn black hole,” former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is involved in a legal battle with HSBC, and Cineworld has announced the closure of several cinemas. However, Evri’s expansion and success in the delivery industry are a positive sign for the UK economy and job market.
