Table of Contents
Will Shu, the co-founder and CEO of Deliveroo, has long been a defining figure in the UK’s food delivery revolution.
As Deliveroo continues to expand its reach, recent developments, including a high-profile acquisition by DoorDash, have placed Shu’s personal fortune under the spotlight.
With his hands-on leadership style and relentless drive, Shu has transformed Deliveroo into a billion-pound enterprise. This article explores how his dedication and business acumen have shaped his impressive 2025 net worth.
Who is Will Shu and How Did He Start Deliveroo?
Image – Source
Will Shu, a US-born entrepreneur, is the co-founder and CEO of Deliveroo, a food delivery company that has become a household name in the UK and several other countries. Before his entrepreneurial journey, Shu worked at JP Morgan in London.
It was during his long hours in Canary Wharf that he noticed a lack of reliable late-night food delivery options.
Frustrated with eating supermarket sandwiches night after night, he identified a clear market opportunity.
In 2013, he co-founded Deliveroo with Greg Orlowski, a childhood friend. The company’s mission was simple: connect customers with high-quality restaurant meals delivered quickly to their doorstep. What made Shu different from many tech founders was his approach to execution.
Rather than staying behind a desk, he took to the streets as the company’s first rider. By delivering meals himself, Shu understood the practical aspects of the service, including customer expectations, route efficiency, and partner coordination.
This hands-on experience laid the foundation for Deliveroo’s operational model. It now operates in nine countries and partners with over 180,000 restaurants and grocery stores, serviced by a fleet of more than 130,000 riders worldwide.
What is Will Shu’s Net Worth in 2025?
Will Shu’s net worth in 2025 stands at approximately £172 million, largely derived from his 6.5% stake in Deliveroo, which was acquired by DoorDash at a premium. This valuation marks a notable increase from previous years and highlights the financial success of both Shu and the company he helped build from scratch.
Breakdown of Will Shu’s Net Worth
The key contributor to Shu’s current wealth is his equity in Deliveroo. Prior to the DoorDash acquisition, Deliveroo shares had been trading around 175.9p. DoorDash’s acquisition deal, priced at 180p per share, boosted the value of Shu’s stake significantly.
Components of his net worth include:
- Equity in Deliveroo (6.5%): Valued at approximately £172 million after the acquisition
- Annual salary and CEO compensation: Estimated between £500,000 and £1 million, not including performance bonuses
- Possible equity bonuses and long-term incentive plans
- Undisclosed private investments or financial holdings
Although Shu is not publicly known for a broad investment portfolio, his substantial Deliveroo equity makes up the bulk of his wealth.
Comparison With Previous Years
Will Shu’s net worth has increased steadily over the past five years. The IPO in 2021, though initially rocky, provided liquidity and valuation benchmarks that have gradually improved.
Year-on-Year Comparison of Shu’s Net Worth:
| Year | Estimated Net Worth | Key Event |
| 2021 | £100 million | Deliveroo IPO; initial stock decline |
| 2022 | £135 million | Operational recovery and market growth |
| 2023 | £150 million | Focus on profitability and tech upgrades |
| 2024 | £165.5 million | DoorDash acquisition discussions begin |
| 2025 | £172 million | Acquisition finalised; payout confirmed |
This increase reflects both share appreciation and consistent operational success. Although Deliveroo’s journey hasn’t been without challenges, its rebound in recent years has strengthened investor confidence.
How Did the DoorDash Takeover Impact Shu’s Wealth?
Image – Source
The DoorDash acquisition of Deliveroo in early 2025 was pivotal for Will Shu’s personal wealth.
DoorDash agreed to pay 180p per share, a price that represented a premium on Deliveroo’s stock, which had recently traded at around 175.9p. Shu’s 6.5% stake translated into an approximate £172 million payout.
This acquisition provided Deliveroo with new strategic support and a broader platform for global expansion.
For Shu, it meant a significant increase in liquid assets, as he could now realise the financial value of shares that had previously fluctuated in public markets.
The acquisition also came after a period of growth and stabilisation. Following its rough IPO debut in 2021, Deliveroo had begun to recover its market confidence, aided by increased efficiencies and international partnerships.
The impact of the acquisition includes:
- Enhanced financial security for Shu through a guaranteed payout
- Potential shift in his role and influence within the new ownership structure
- Increased market credibility for Deliveroo under DoorDash
Why Has Will Shu Continued to Work as a Rider?
Despite his executive role and increasing wealth, Will Shu has consistently maintained a unique practice: completing deliveries himself. As recently as March 2024, he confirmed that he still delivers orders in London.
Shu believes this habit is essential to understanding the evolving needs of the company. It allows him to:
- Observe the customer experience firsthand
- Engage directly with Deliveroo’s riders and partners
- Test technology and delivery logistics personally
In one memorable anecdote, Shu delivered a pizza to a former colleague who had no idea he was the company’s CEO.
Such stories highlight his dedication to staying connected to the operational layer of the business.
He has even conducted deliveries for rival services such as Just Eat. This was not out of necessity but to study the competition closely.
These experiences offer him a better understanding of customer expectations and areas where Deliveroo could improve.
What Does the Future Hold for Will Shu as Deliveroo’s CEO?
Following the DoorDash acquisition, speculation has mounted over Will Shu’s continued role at Deliveroo.
During the acquisition press rounds, he declined to confirm whether he would stay on as CEO, stating only that “that’s not a discussion for today.”
Reports from Sky News suggest that he is contemplating stepping down from his role as early as Autumn 2025.
Deliveroo’s current chief business officer, Carlo Mocci, is said to be a likely candidate to take over leadership.
Shu’s potential exit would mark the end of an era. However, sources suggest multiple scenarios are being considered, including:
- Shu remaining in an executive advisory role
- A delayed transition into another leadership position
- Public announcement of leadership changes later in the year
No final decision has been confirmed, but internal discussions suggest a smooth transition is likely being planned.
How Has Deliveroo Performed Financially Over the Years?
Image – Source
Deliveroo has experienced substantial growth and market fluctuation since its IPO in 2021. The float was initially criticised after the company’s shares fell significantly post-launch. This prompted media and investors to dub the event as “Flopperoo.”
However, the company made a notable recovery. In 2024 alone, Deliveroo generated approximately £2 billion in sales.
The company’s operational improvements, combined with strategic international expansions, contributed to this turnaround.
The pandemic years were particularly important for growth. With restaurants closed to dine-in customers, food delivery surged, allowing Deliveroo to expand its customer base and restaurant partnerships rapidly.
Post-pandemic, the company faced new challenges, including reduced demand and higher investment in marketing and technology.
Table: Deliveroo Operational Highlights
| Metric | 2024 Value |
| Annual Sales | £2 billion |
| Active Countries | 9 |
| Delivery Riders Worldwide | 130,000+ |
| Partnered Restaurants | Over 180,000 |
The company’s growth has been supported by regular technological innovation, including real-time tracking, partner dashboards, and delivery forecasting.
What Do We Know About Will Shu’s Personality and Leadership Style?
Will Shu is frequently described as reserved, highly driven, and obsessive about his business.
In a 2021 appearance on The Diary of a CEO, he shared that his work on Deliveroo consumes most of his time and energy, leaving little room for personal relationships.
He mentioned that he often has “no room for other things” and acknowledged being deeply consumed by the business’s success and operation.
This focus is evident in his day-to-day behaviour and in the way he still participates in the delivery process.
Shu prefers to lead by doing. His leadership style reflects:
- A bottom-up understanding of operations
- High standards for quality and performance
- Relentless attention to customer experience
He also values simplicity and efficiency, often pushing for improvements across the company’s tech infrastructure and rider support systems.
How Does Will Shu Compare to Other UK Tech Entrepreneurs?
In terms of raw net worth, Shu is more modest than some other figures in the UK startup ecosystem. However, his influence and brand recognition are considerable.
Deliveroo’s visibility across UK cities and its role in shaping the modern food delivery experience give him a distinctive legacy.
Unlike many founders who transition into board roles or invest in multiple startups, Shu has remained focused on a single brand for over a decade. This consistency has become a hallmark of his professional identity.
Compared to peers, Shu stands out for:
- Hands-on leadership from day one
- Continued involvement in ground-level operations
- Building a resilient company through market volatility
Deliveroo’s success story continues to be studied in business schools and entrepreneurship programmes across the UK.
How Much of Deliveroo Does Will Shu Still Own?
Image – Source
As of the 2025 acquisition, Will Shu held a 6.5% ownership stake in Deliveroo. This position was diluted from earlier years due to multiple investment rounds and the public offering. However, it remained one of the most valuable individual holdings in the company.
The DoorDash acquisition converted his equity into a direct cash payout of £172 million. This marks the highest single-year increase in Shu’s wealth to date.
Despite this liquidity event, it remains unclear if Shu will reinvest into new ventures or maintain involvement in the food tech space.
His ownership has offered him substantial influence over business strategy and board-level decisions throughout Deliveroo’s development.
Whether or not he stays with the company post-acquisition, his legacy as founder and first rider is firmly established.
Conclusion
Will Shu’s journey from investment banker to multimillionaire tech founder is a testament to determination, vision, and an unorthodox leadership style.
His continued role as a delivery rider and his close connection to Deliveroo’s operations distinguish him in the tech world.
With a net worth reaching £172 million following DoorDash’s acquisition, Shu’s financial standing now reflects the global impact of his innovation. Whether he remains CEO or moves on, his influence on food delivery is undeniable.
FAQs About Will Shu and His Net Worth
How did Will Shu come up with the idea for Deliveroo?
While working late shifts at JP Morgan, Shu realised there were no quality food delivery options in London. That gap in the market inspired Deliveroo.
What was Will Shu’s role when Deliveroo launched?
Shu wasn’t just the co-founder—he was the first delivery rider, gaining valuable insights from customer interactions.
Why is Deliveroo sometimes called ‘Flopperoo’?
The name emerged after the company’s underwhelming IPO in 2021, which initially saw a steep drop in share value.
Has Will Shu ever worked for other food delivery companies?
Yes, Shu delivered for Just Eat to compare operational experiences and customer service.
What percentage of Deliveroo does Will Shu currently own?
As of the DoorDash acquisition in 2025, Shu owned about 6.5% of the company.
Is Will Shu planning to step down as CEO?
Reports suggest he may resign by Autumn 2025, though no official announcement has been made.
What are Will Shu’s other investments or ventures?
Shu remains focused on Deliveroo and hasn’t publicly disclosed other major investments or startups.
Featured Image – Source