Entrepreneur found to have forged documents in failed yodel takeover attempt

A British parcel entrepreneur has been found by the High Court to have likely forged key documents in a failed attempt to seize control of the delivery company Yodel. Mr Justice Fancourt issued a critical verdict against Jacob Corlett, ruling that he conspired with his mother to falsify share warrants in the business. Signatures on the contested documents were labelled suspicious by a handwriting expert brought in during the case.

The legal ruling follows an extended dispute over the future of Yodel. Corlett had tried to block Polish courier group InPost from acquiring the company, claiming warrants granted him rights to purchase a controlling stake. The court, however, determined the share warrants were forged, making them invalid. Both Corlett and his mother, Tamara Gregory, were found to have misled the court about the origins of the documents.

InPost welcomed the judgment, describing it as decisive for Yodel and a reassurance for shareholders and employees in the face of damaging litigation. The Polish company closed a £106 million deal for Yodel earlier in the year, although Corlett has maintained throughout the proceedings that he is the legitimate owner. His claim centred on alleged warrant instruments issued before his sale of Yodel, providing him with rights to over 60 percent of the company’s shares. The High Court dismissed this claim outright, finding the warrants inauthentic.

Corlett faces further allegations regarding financial misconduct during his short tenure at Yodel. He is accused of siphoning millions of pounds from the company; the disputed sums include £1.5 million transferred to his firm Shift Trading for no legitimate business purpose as well as £2.7 million paid through questionable invoices. Additional claims allege funds were diverted offshore, with money transferred from Yodel to GCL, an Isle of Man entity controlled by Corlett’s mother. Corlett has denied these allegations, asserting no involvement or knowledge of the disputed payments. These matters are due to be addressed in a separate court case in the coming year.

Yodel, previously owned by the Barclay family, employs approximately 10,000 staff. The company’s ownership struggles began in 2024 when it was put up for sale amid wider financial pressures on the family. Corlett acquired Yodel for £1, initially presented as a rescuer of the Liverpool-based business with stated plans to merge it with his own start-up, Shift Group. Relationships soured rapidly following accusations of asset stripping and financial impropriety, which remain the subject of continuing legal scrutiny.

InPost have indicated they may pursue further legal action following the judge’s findings of forgery against Corlett. For now, the verdict is seen as safeguarding the operational stability of Yodel and ensuring customers, employees, and partners can conduct business without disruption from ongoing disputes over ownership.