As one of the UK’s largest employers, it may be interesting to understand what the recent announcement by the Government on the Royal Mail free shares for employees means for Royal Mail staff in Surrey and Sussex.

The Government said it intends to dispose of a majority of its shares in Royal Mail through a flotation of the company on the London Stock Exchange.

It will automatically give 10% of all shares in the business free to eligible Royal Mail employees in the UK at the time of the flotation.

This is the largest free stake of any major UK privatisation.

The overwhelming majority of Royal Mail’s 150,000 employees in the UK will be eligible for free shares if they have worked for the company from July 10, 2013, and continue to do so until flotation.

Eligible employees will automatically receive an equal number of shares, irrespective of their grade.

There will be a pro-rata allocation for part-time employees. This will mean our employees will have a meaningful stake in the company.

I look forward to working towards and sharing the future success of the company with my colleagues.

Steve Selby, delivery director for Surrey and Sussex, Royal Mail