InPost’s £106m acquisition of Yodel has hit the buffers after entrepreneur Jacob Corlett (pictured), owner of tech based delivery firm Shift, successfully applied to the high court for an injunction, Shift is claiming.
In a statement this week, Shift said the injunction application has resulted in a High Court judge “pausing” the acquisition, with the injunction remaining in place until a further hearing takes place. However InPost is insisting the acquisition is still proceeding and said Corlett’s claims are “unwarranted.”
The injunction prevents Yodel from restructuring the company, making any changes to the board or workforce, disposing of any assets above £25,000, novating any contracts with customers to any other entity, and making any changes to the Yodel brand.
This is the latest development in a bitter legal dispute between Yodel and 31 year old entrepreneur Jacob Corlett, owner of tech based delivery firm Shift.
Corlett led an aborted rescue deal for Yodel last year and is part of a group of warrant holders who have filed a formal demand for Yodel shares they claim to own.
If granted, the move would give the group almost 70% of Yodel’s shares.
In a statement announcing the court order, Shift said: “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.”
Corlett added: “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.”
InPost strongly refutes Corlett’s claim that the acquisition has been paused. A spokesman told MT: “To suggest InPost’s acquisition of Yodel has been “paused” is grossly misleading. All that has happened is that the court has set out some procedural steps for a swift hearing in June (something Yodel actively sought).
“As part of this, both Yodel and Shift voluntarily gave certain undertakings, which do not prevent Yodel from taking planned steps to transform its business.
“It appears the misleading statement Shift has sent to the media is designed to cause market uncertainty around Yodel’s business and exert improper pressure on Yodel and InPost for an unwarranted financial settlement.”
Polish parcel delivery giant InPost announced its acquisition of Yodel last month. If the deal goes ahead, it will make InPost one of the largest independent logistics players in the UK e-commerce market, after Amazon, Royal Mail and Evri.
InPost provides delivery services through its network of around 47,000 automated parcel machines (APMs) and almost 35,000 pick-up drop-off points (PUDO) in nine countries across Europe, as well as to-door courier and fulfilment services to e-commerce merchants.
The acquisition of Yodel builds on a partnership between the two companies, launched in October 2024, when Yodel began providing last-mile services through InPost’s locker-to-door service.
When it announced the acquisition, InPost said it was a “game-changing” deal, which “dramatically accelerates growth and redefines delivery in the UK by seamlessly integrating out-of-home and to-door solutions under one powerful brand”.
Under the injunction Yodel has voluntarily agreed not to:
• 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.
Yodel has yet to respond to a request for comment.
