When did royal mail go private

Royal Mail, the UK's postal service, was privatized in 2013. Prior to that, it was a publicly owned organization, known as the Post Office, which was established in 1635.

In 2012, the UK government announced plans to privatize Royal Mail, with a flotation on the London Stock Exchange expected to raise around £3 billion. The privatization process was completed on October 11, 2013, when Royal Mail shares were listed on the London Stock Exchange.

As part of the privatization, the UK government sold a 60% stake in Royal Mail to institutional investors, with the remaining 40% remaining in public ownership. The government also retained a golden share, which gives it special powers to intervene in the company's affairs if necessary.

The privatization of Royal Mail was controversial, with some arguing that it would lead to job losses, reduced services, and higher prices for consumers. However, the company's management and the UK government argued that privatization would bring in new investment, improve efficiency, and increase competition in the postal market.

Since its privatization, Royal Mail has faced significant challenges, including declining mail volumes, increased competition from private courier companies, and industrial action by its workforce. Despite these challenges, the company has continued to operate and has made efforts to adapt to the changing market.