Labour open to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky’s Royal Mail bid

Biggest shareholder in Royal Mail owner International Distributions Services considers options after initial approach is rebuffed
Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group said it “recognises that Royal Mail is in a challenging situation”
Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group said it “recognises that Royal Mail is in a challenging situation”
CHRISTOPHER L PROCTOR FOR THE TIMES

The Labour Party is open to the prospect of a takeover of the owner of Royal Mail by the struggling postal group’s Czech billionaire investor, which is considering a renewed approach.

EP Group, a conglomerate controlled by Daniel Kretinsky, revealed on Tuesday that it had made a “non-binding indicative proposal” to the board of International Distributions Services (IDS), Royal Mail’s parent company, on April 9 seeking its recommendation for a possible cash offer for the remainder of the shares it does not already own.

Vesa, a Luxembourg-based vehicle of EP Group’s investors, is the largest shareholder in IDS, having built a stake of about 27.6 per cent in the London-listed group.

In a statement after the stock market closed on Wednesday, IDS said it had