Hermes will change its name to 'Evri' and invest £7m in employee pensions - months after boss at the under-fire courier was filmed 'telling staff to act stupid if customers complain'
- Hermes will rebrand itself and offer millions of pounds in pensions for staff
- Company said it would be changing its name to Evri, with a new logo rolled out
- The move coupled with news of a £7 million annual investment in pensions
- Comes after report by The Times saw couriers throw parcels around depot
One of the UK's largest courier firm's Hermes is set to rebrand itself and will offer millions of pounds in pensions for its employees, the company has announced.
The company, which delivers more than 400 million parcels a year across the UK, announced it would be changing its name to Evri, with a new logo rolled out across the country.
The move was coupled with news of a £7 million annual investment in pensions, which was described as a first in the UK logistics industry.
Addressing the change, the GMB union said it was a 'breakthrough' deal which will give couriers proper retirement plans and the right to maternity and paternity leave.
The decision to rebrand comes just months after an investigation by The Times exposed couriers launching parcels around a depot in a bid to save time.
However the company said the move is not related to the investigation.
Hermes is set to rebrand itself and will offer millions of pounds in pensions for its employees. (Stock image)
Evri will be introducing the right to maternity and paternity leave for all so-called 'self employed plus' (SE+) couriers from this month.
Chief executive Martijn de Lange said: 'When we first announced our SE+ model in 2019 we committed to continuing to develop our support for our self-employed couriers and we are proud to have been true to that and be leading the industry once again.
'Our couriers receive guaranteed pay rates, paid holiday and now a pension but have also been able to retain the flexibility that so many treasure, fitting in their deliveries alongside their other, often family, commitments.
'This rebrand follows significant investment and two years of dramatic growth which has resulted in our entire business going through a major transformation programme.
'It is more than just a name change - it is a statement of intent of our commitment to leading the way in creating responsible delivery experiences for ''Evri one'', ''Evri where''.
'It heralds a new culture and an even better way of doing things in an ever-evolving world, building on our achievements and successes.'
GMB union official Steve Garelick said: 'This breakthrough deal is a massive step forward and will make work better for GMB members.
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'Tens of thousands of couriers will now have the safety and security of knowing their retirement plans are being looked after.
'Meanwhile, the right to maternity and paternity leave will break down barriers previously blocking those with children from entering the profession.'
MP Stephen Timms, chairman of the Work and Pensions Select Committee said: 'This is a huge step in the right direction and will help thousands of couriers plan for retirement.
'I am delighted to see Hermes provide pensions and parental leave in addition to the holiday pay, guaranteed pay rates and union recognition already available.'
In December last year, footage secretly filmed by an undercover reporter at The Times at a Hermes site in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, showed employees at the delivery firm throwing deliveries against cages, walls and onto the floor.
The video also showed one manager say drivers should 'act stupid' when dealing with complaints from customers.
Footage secretly filmed by an undercover reporter at The Times showed staff at a Hermes site throwing deliveries
The footage was filmed by a reporter at a Hermes site in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
In a statement last year Hermes said: 'We do not claim to be perfect and are aware that in an operation of our size there will be individual issues that we need to improve.
'We are determined to do this but remain confident that the vast majority of these allegations are unfounded and do not reflect our business and the standards we deliver.'
The company added: 'We have however acted swiftly and launched a full investigation. Our senior teams are currently at the Delivery Unit mentioned undertaking an urgent review.
'This unit is performing well and there are no issues regarding service or damage.'
Responding to the investigation, John Lewis told The Times it was 'alarmed' and had asked Hermes to 'investigate urgently', while Next and H&M said they were discussing the footage and Marks & Spencer took the claims 'very seriously'.
It came as Hermes and Yodel were shown to be performing the worst in a league table released by Citizens Advice last year.
Yodel was ranked fourth with 1.75 stars, just ahead of Hermes on 1.5 stars.
The ratings were measured by Citizens Advice’s Consumer Service, customer polls and complaints on social media.
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