Stewart Butler Steps Down as CEO — But It’s Not Goodbye

Left to right: Jen Tillotson – Senior Customer Services Manager, Richard Ormerod – Franchise Owner, Michael Gratton – Managing Director, Tracey Higgins – Operations Director, Howard McCormick – Franchise Sales Director, and Steph Gore – Credit Control Supervisor.

September 2025 marks a new chapter for World Options, PACK & SEND UK, and MBE UK, as our long-standing CEO, Stewart Butler, and CFO James Edwards officially step down from their day-to-day executive roles.

While Stewart and James are stepping away from operational leadership, they are not leaving the business. Both will continue as active board members and shareholders, ensuring their vision and experience remain deeply connected to the future of the company they helped shape.

A Legacy of Entrepreneurial Vision

Stewart co-founded World Options in both the UK and US, alongside James Edwards, building the business from a small startup into a leading force in the UK logistics and franchise landscape. Under their leadership, World Options became known for its innovative franchise model, customer-first ethos, and unwavering commitment to support.

Following the Fortidia Group’s majority acquisition in 2022, Stewart and James played a pivotal role in integrating World Options UK and US with PACK & SEND UK and MBE UK, guiding the newly unified business through a transformative period. Their steady leadership helped unite diverse teams, systems, and cultures into a single, high-performance headquarters.

Not Farewell, Just a New Beginning

While Stewart’s time as CEO comes to an end, his journey with World Options is far from over.

In a testament to the strength of the franchise model he helped build, Stewart and his partner Vicky will be joining the network as new franchise owners.

It’s a powerful full-circle moment: the founder of World Options choosing to launch a new chapter as a franchisee in the very business he created.

This transition underscores the trust and belief Stewart has in the model, not just as its architect, but now as one of its ambassadors on the ground. It’s a story of continued commitment and of embracing the next challenge with the same energy that defined his time as CEO.

Thank You, Stewart

To Stewart, thank you for your drive, clarity of vision, and relentless focus on what matters, empowering franchisees and delivering customer value. Your legacy is not just in the systems you’ve built but also in the relationships, culture, and opportunities that now define World Options across the UK and beyond.

We look forward to working with you and Vicky in your new role and continuing to build the future of the brand, together.