In focus with Rico

This month, we provided our usual trading update to the market on our business performance in the first three months of the financial year.

Overall, trading was in line with our expectations. Our performance in UK letters and parcels was as anticipated and GLS continued to perform strongly. In the UK, we are making progress with the trials and initiatives under our new Pensions, Pay and Pipeline agreement.

Our performance shows that we are right to focus on profitable revenue growth and achieving greater cost efficiency and quality.

These are our key priorities.

Parcels innovation

Parcels is a big area for potential growth, both in the UK and internationally. Last year, we delivered our largest volume growth in UK Parcels since privatisation. That’s because of the changes we’re implementing to win more business and because of your focus and commitment.

The pace of innovation in UK parcels has quickened, and to stay number one it’s important that we continue to come up with new ideas, new ways of working and improve our technology.

We’re already making some good progress in delivering the kind of innovations our customers want. For example, we were the first to market label-less returns, making the process easier and simpler for customers. We’ve also started rolling out E739s, giving notifications on smartphones when an item has been returned to a customer service point.

Delivering change of this kind is how we’ll continue to grow.

Winners crowned

Finally, I’d like to congratulate the Parcelforce team, who have been crowned overall winners in this year’s Ops Fundraising Challenge.

Many of you have helped raise a fantastic £378,000, including matched funding, for our charity partner, Action for Children.

This will make a huge difference to the young people who benefit from the charity’s work – well done and thank you.