RS Group Bundle
Who Owns RS Group plc?
Understanding RS Group plc's ownership is key to grasping its market strategy and accountability. The company rebranded from Electrocomponents plc in January 2022, signaling its expanded focus on industrial and technological sectors.
Founded in 1937, RS Group has grown from a small supplier of radio parts to a global distributor. Its evolution reflects significant shifts in corporate ownership and market presence.
Who owns RS Group plc?
RS Group plc is a publicly traded company, meaning its ownership is distributed among its shareholders. As of October 2023, the company's market capitalization stood at approximately £4.5 billion. For the fiscal year ending March 2023, RS Group reported revenues of £2.35 billion and a net income of £205 million. Key institutional investors and individual shareholders collectively hold the majority of the company's stock, influencing its strategic decisions and governance. The company's diverse product portfolio, which includes items analyzed within the RS Group BCG Matrix, serves over 1.2 million customers across more than 30 countries.
Who Founded RS Group?
RS Group plc, originally established as Radiospares in 1937, was founded by J. H. Waring and P. M. Sebestyen. Starting from a small garage in London, their initial focus was on supplying spare parts for radio repair shops, a business that later expanded to include television components.
The founders, J. H. Waring and P. M. Sebestyen, established Radiospares in 1937 with the aim of providing essential spare parts to radio repair businesses.
The company began its operations from a modest lock-up garage in Maida Vale, London, laying the groundwork for future expansion.
As the market evolved, the company expanded its offerings to include television parts, adapting to technological advancements.
By 1954, the founders strategically shifted the company's focus from individual consumers to the industrial sector, supplying electronic components to manufacturers.
The company experienced significant growth, becoming a large national distribution company by the end of World War II, a testament to the founders' entrepreneurial spirit.
A pivotal moment in the company's history was its listing on the London Stock Exchange in 1967 as Electrocomponents plc, marking its transition to public ownership.
While specific early ownership details such as equity splits are not publicly documented, the continuous expansion from its initial garage-based operations to a national distributor by the end of World War II highlights the founders' successful business acumen. The company's transition to a publicly traded entity in 1967 was a significant step, influencing its future Target Market of RS Group and overall ownership structure.
The foundational years of RS Group plc, then known as Radiospares, were characterized by the entrepreneurial drive of its founders, J. H. Waring and P. M. Sebestyen.
- Founded in 1937 as Radiospares.
- Initial operations from a garage in London.
- Early focus on supplying radio and television spare parts.
- Expansion into industrial component supply by 1954.
- Became a national distributor by the end of WWII.
- Listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1967 as Electrocomponents plc.
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How Has RS Group’s Ownership Changed Over Time?
RS Group plc, formerly Electrocomponents plc, became a publicly traded entity in 1991 upon its listing on the London Stock Exchange. Its ownership structure is a blend of institutional investors, individual shareholders, and company executives, reflecting its status as a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index as of October 2023.
| Investor Type | Percentage of Ownership (as of Oct 2023) | Key Holders |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional Investors | Approximately 85% | BlackRock Inc. (7.1%), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (6.2%), Vanguard Group (5.8%), State Street Corporation (4.5%), FMR LLC (8.05% as of May 2024) |
| Major Individual Shareholders | Mr. Surachai Chetchotisak (13.70% as of March 2025), Mr. Sorat Vanichvarakij (9.41% as of March 2025) | |
| Executive Ownership | Approximately 5% | CEO Simon Pryce (approx. 0.04%), CFO's closely associated person (acquired shares in June 2025) |
The ownership evolution of RS Group has been influenced by strategic moves, including acquisitions like the German-based distributor 'ECS' in July 2021 and Distrelec B.V. for €365 million in July 2023. These actions have broadened its market presence and product portfolio. In the fiscal year ending March 2025, the company reported a 1% revenue decline, with like-for-like revenue down 2%, attributed to challenging industrial markets. Despite this, RS Group maintained a robust balance sheet, reducing its net debt to £364 million from £418 million.
RS Group's ownership is predominantly held by institutional investors, with significant stakes also present among individual shareholders and company executives. This structure shapes the company's governance and strategic direction.
- Institutional investors collectively own about 85% of RS Group's shares.
- Key institutional holders include BlackRock, JPMorgan Chase, Vanguard, and State Street.
- Major individual shareholders, such as Mr. Surachai Chetchotisak, hold substantial percentages.
- The company's Brief History of RS Group details its transition to a public entity and subsequent growth.
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Who Sits on RS Group’s Board?
The board of directors at RS Group plc is structured to oversee the company's strategic direction and long-term performance. This includes a Non-Executive Chair, independent Non-Executive Directors, and Executive Directors who collectively guide the organization. The board composition reflects a commitment to diverse perspectives and robust governance.
| Role | Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Executive Independent Chairman | Baroness Rona Fairhead | Current |
| Chief Executive Officer | Simon Pryce | Executive Director |
| Chief Financial Officer | Kate Ringrose | Executive Director |
| Senior Independent Director | David Sleath | Independent Non-Executive Director |
| Independent Non-Executive Director | Alex Baldock | Independent Non-Executive Director |
| Independent Non-Executive Director | Louisa Burdett | Independent Non-Executive Director |
| Independent Non-Executive Director | Carole Cran | Independent Non-Executive Director (Appointed Dec 1, 2024) |
| Independent Non-Executive Director | Bessie Lee | Independent Non-Executive Director |
| Independent Non-Executive Director | Miles Roberts | Independent Non-Executive Director |
| Independent Non-Executive Director | Joan Wainwright | Independent Non-Executive Director |
RS Group plc operates with a fundamental principle of one-share-one-vote, meaning each ordinary share carries equal voting rights. As of August 31, 2024, the company had a total of 474,041,318 ordinary shares, each with voting power. The total issued share capital as of September 30, 2024, stood at 474,049,468 ordinary shares, with no shares held in Treasury. While executive directors, such as CEO Simon Pryce who owns 0.04% of the company's shares, have direct stakes, the majority of voting power resides with institutional investors. The company's approach to board appointments emphasizes fostering inclusion and diversity, aligning with its broader strategic objectives, which can be further explored in the Growth Strategy of RS Group.
The ownership structure of RS Group plc is primarily defined by its institutional shareholders. The company adheres to a strict one-share-one-vote policy, ensuring equitable voting rights for all shareholders.
- Institutional investors collectively hold the majority of voting power.
- The company's total voting rights were 474,041,318 as of August 31, 2024.
- Executive directors hold minor stakes, with CEO Simon Pryce owning 0.04%.
- There have been no significant public proxy battles or activist campaigns reported.
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What Recent Changes Have Shaped RS Group’s Ownership Landscape?
In the past few years, RS Group plc has undergone significant strategic shifts and ownership adjustments. These changes reflect a proactive approach to market expansion and operational efficiency, impacting its overall company structure and shareholder landscape.
| Development | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition of Distrelec B.V. | July 2023 | €365 million, expanding European presence |
| Acquisition of Trident | April 2024 | Perth, Australia; performed ahead of investment case |
| Divestment of Distrelec sales activities | March 2025 | Finland and Baltics for approx. £5 million |
| Appointment of Carole Cran (Non-Executive Director) | December 1, 2024 | Will also chair the Audit Committee from July 15, 2025 |
| Appointment of Miles Roberts (Non-Executive Director) | March 1, 2025 | |
| Navneet Kapoor stepped down | End of December 2024 | |
| Share acquisition by Evelyn Ringrose | June 2025 | 1,606 ordinary shares for £8,939.96 |
The ownership trends indicate a growing influence of institutional investors, who held approximately 85% of RS Group's shares as of October 2023. This substantial institutional backing underscores a strong market confidence in the company's trajectory. FMR LLC, a key institutional investor, increased its voting rights stake to 8.05% by May 9, 2024, highlighting significant investor interest. The company's robust balance sheet supports its strategy of pursuing acquisition opportunities, aiming to accelerate growth. Furthermore, RS Group maintains a commitment to its shareholders through a progressive dividend policy, with the full-year dividend for 2024/2025 seeing a 2% increase.
Institutional investors held about 85% of RS Group's shares in October 2023. This high percentage reflects strong confidence in the company's future performance.
Recent acquisitions, like Distrelec B.V. for €365 million, and Trident, alongside strategic divestments, demonstrate a clear plan for market positioning and growth.
The company has seen key appointments to its board, including Carole Cran and Miles Roberts. These changes are part of the ongoing evolution of RS Group's leadership structure.
Minor share transactions by individuals associated with management, alongside a progressive dividend policy with a 2% increase in 2024/2025, indicate steady financial management and shareholder returns.
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