Will Shu, the founder and chief executive officer of Deliveroo, will leave his role once the company’s sale to US-based DoorDash is completed.

Shu, who co-founded the British food delivery platform in 2013, announced his decision on Thursday, marking the end of a tenure that saw Deliveroo grow from a start-up into a household name across the United Kingdom.

The £2.9 billion acquisition by DoorDash, agreed in May, is expected to be finalised in early October, following a court hearing scheduled for 30 September. Deliveroo’s non-executive directors, including Dame Karen Jones and Peter Jackson, will also depart once the deal is effective, as confirmed by the company.

Reflecting on his time at Deliveroo, Shu said, “I have decided that now is the right time for me to step down. Taking Deliveroo from being an idea to what it is today has been amazing. Today the company’s growth and profitability are accelerating and we are delivering on our mission to transform the way people shop and eat, but after 13 years I want to contemplate my next challenge”. He added, “I’m super proud of everything we have achieved. We pioneered and then redefined a new category. Our teams have always seen the business through the eyes of the consumer and that consumer obsession has given us focus, drive and resilience”.

Shu’s leadership saw Deliveroo raise more than $1.5 billion in funding, including investment from Amazon, and launch a high-profile initial public offering in 2021. However, the company’s shares fell by 26 per cent on their first day of trading, wiping almost £2 billion from its opening market capitalisation. Despite a brief recovery, Deliveroo never surpassed its IPO valuation again,

The takeover by DoorDash comes as consolidation accelerates in the food delivery sector, with companies seeking greater scale to compete in a crowded market. Deliveroo reported a surge in orders and profits in the first half of 2025, with group orders rising by eight per cent to 147 million and gross transaction value climbing nine per cent to £3.8 billion.

Once the deal closes, Deliveroo will become part of DoorDash’s global operations, ending its time as an independent British tech company. Shu’s departure signals a new chapter for the brand, as it prepares to integrate with its new parent and navigate the evolving landscape of online food delivery.

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