Vodafone in brief
- Rank: #45 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #1 of 3 in Telecom.
- WCRC Power Score: 65.68 out of 100.
- Founded: 1985, by Racal Electronics (Ernest Harrison and Gerry Whent).
- Owner: Vodafone Group Plc, Newbury, England.
- Leadership: Margherita Della Valle, Group Chief Executive.
- Latest revenue: €40.5bn revenue (FY2026, year to Mar 2026, +8.0%), group revenue of Vodafone Group Plc, as per company filings.
What makes Vodafone powerful
Vodafone is one of the world's best-known telecoms brands, and its FY26 results suggest its turnaround under Margherita Della Valle is gaining traction. Revenue rose 8% to €40.5bn, organic service revenue grew 5.4% and adjusted EBITDAaL rose 3.8% to €11.4bn. Operating profit swung to €2.8bn from a loss the year before.
Its footprint is a strength. Africa is the fastest-growing part of the group, with organic service revenue up 12.9%, and Vodacom agreed to buy an effective 20% stake in Safaricom. In the UK, Vodafone completed its merger with Three and bought out CK Hutchison's stake for £4.3bn, making it sole owner of VodafoneThree, which serves more than 28 million mobile customers. Targeted synergies of around £700m a year by FY30 give the brand a stronger position in its home market.
VodafoneThree serves more than 28 million mobile customers in the UK.
Why Vodafone ranks #45
Vodafone ranks 45th with a WCRC Power Score of 65.68, just behind Nurofen and ahead of Twinings. Positioning and recall (74) is its strongest pillar, reflecting a globally known telecoms name, while product (64) and sustainability and governance (64) are steady. Trust (62) and digital and financial strength (58) are weaker, reflecting flat growth in Germany and heavy UK investment, and hold it in the middle of the ranking.
The Achilles' heel
Germany, Vodafone's largest market, saw organic service revenue fall 0.2% in FY26, only returning to growth in the final quarter. The UK merger brings heavy spending: UK capital expenditure rose to €1.4bn from €897m. Vodafone must deliver promised network improvements and synergies while competing in crowded, price-sensitive markets.
The 2026 story
Vodafone reported FY26 results in May 2026, with revenue up 8% to €40.5bn, organic service revenue growth of 5.4% and an operating profit of €2.8bn. Chief executive Margherita Della Valle said the group was making progress on its priorities of customers, simplicity and growth. The year included completing the VodafoneThree merger, a £4.3bn buyout of CK Hutchison's stake, a return to growth in Germany in the fourth quarter and Vodacom's agreement to buy an effective 20% stake in Safaricom for €1.81bn.
Pillar profile
Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is Vodafone in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
Vodafone ranks #45 of 100 in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 65.68 out of 100.
What makes Vodafone powerful?
Scale across Europe and fast-growing Africa, plus full ownership of the UK's VodafoneThree, gives it reach few telecom brands can match.
What is Vodafone's revenue?
€40.5bn revenue (FY2026, year to Mar 2026, +8.0%), group revenue of Vodafone Group Plc, as per company filings.
Who founded and owns Vodafone?
Vodafone was founded in 1985 by Racal Electronics (Ernest Harrison and Gerry Whent). It is owned by Vodafone Group Plc and based in Newbury, England.
Who leads Vodafone?
Margherita Della Valle, Group Chief Executive.
What is Vodafone's biggest challenge?
Germany, its largest market, is barely growing and the UK merger requires heavy investment to deliver.
Also featured in
- Most powerful Telecom brands
- UK's 50 Most Valuable Brands
- Biggest British Brands by Revenue
- British Global Powerhouses
- Most Famous British Brands
- Most powerful brands in England
Key facts
| Brand | Vodafone |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Vodafone Group Plc |
| Headquarters | Newbury, England, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder(s) | Racal Electronics (Ernest Harrison and Gerry Whent) |
| Leadership | Margherita Della Valle, Group Chief Executive |
| Latest revenue | €40.5bn revenue (FY2026, year to Mar 2026, +8.0%), group revenue of Vodafone Group Plc, as per company filings |
| Sector | Telecom |
| Website | vodafone.com |
| Home country | United Kingdom |
Sources
- Revenue figure published by Vodafone Group Plc
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
