[citation needed] In November 2020 Advent International announced it would partner with the current management team to acquire a 75% stake in Hermes UK.

[5][6] The company was named as the second worst parcel delivery service in the United Kingdom (after Yodel) by users of moneysavingexpert.com in January 2014, with 30% of customers rating their experience as "bad".

[8] In September 2016 the government asked HM Revenue and Customs to consider launching an investigation into Hermes, after workers alleged they received pay equivalent to lower than the current minimum wage in the United Kingdom.

[10] In June 2017 the GMB union claimed “Hermes dodges its responsibility to check proper insurance cover is in place by asking them (couriers) to acknowledge they "understand that motor insurance is required to deliver and collect parcels and/or catalogues on behalf of Hermes.” In response Hermes “categorically refutes” allegations made by the GMB that it is putting their drivers and the public at serious avoidable risk by cutting corners in the interests of profit.

[11] In September 2017 Frank Field, Labour MP and chair of the Commons work and pensions select committee, said he had written to Mike Ashley, the billionaire Sports Direct founder, to demand answers following concerns raised by a whistleblower at Hermes regarding claims the company was under-paying couriers by mislabeling items as lightweight packets to avoid paying the fair delivery cost.

[15] In an April 2020 episode of Channel 4's consumer show Joe Lycett's Got Your Back, it was shown that Hermes was sending parcels they claimed were undeliverable to an auction house.

Host Joe Lycett contested the undeliverability of the items, finding many goods auctioned off had legible names, addresses and tracking numbers.

North Durham MP Kevan Jones said he was aware of concerns after workers claimed thousands of parcels would not be delivered in time for Christmas.

[24] On 1 March 2024 the Post Office wrote to Liam Byrne MP, Business and Trade Committee Chair, in connection with the Horizon issue, stating "Post Office recently launched over-the-counter sales with carriers other than Royal Mail for the first time in our 360-year history, allowing customers to choose to send also parcels with DPD and EVRi within branches now and, crucially, driving new footfall and revenue for Postmasters.

EVRi CEO, Martijn de Lange, stated: “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.” [26] Andy McDonald MP raised concerns to Darren Jones MP, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee Chair, via a letter dated 28 May 2021, stating "It is an outrage that working people are receiving no recompense for hours of their labour, or seeing enforced reductions to their pay with the threat of redundancy.

One manager told Mr McDonald that the company had refused to hire enough sorters at some of its Delivery Units, meaning that couriers had to sort out packages.

[31] HampShire Live reported in February 2023 that 'A number of couriers have lifted the lid on what it is like working for delivery company EVRi and it seems there are a fair few unhappy workers on their payroll.

Early in 2023 she asked of the PM, Rishi Sunak “Does the Prime Minister believe that over 40,000 interactions by either social media, email or letter regarding the poor customer service and working conditions at the delivery company EVRi warrants an investigation by the relevant Government department?”[34] In January 2024 a pay increase was reported as an agreement between the GMB union and EVRi that will increase the rates paid to GMB members who provide courier services.

[35] Tracy Beeson, GMB London Region representative said “GMB is not resting on its laurels, starting next with a campaign to see improved Health and Safety at delivery units" [36] On 29 January 2024 Reuters reported that private equity group Advent International is considering options, including a potential sale of EVRi, citing two sources familiar with the matter.