LONDON, July 8, 2025 — The takeover of International Distributions Services (IDS), the parent company of Royal Mail, by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský has now been finalized, following UK government approval in May.

The acquisition marks a major shift in ownership for one of the UK’s most historic institutions. IDS shareholders overwhelmingly backed the deal earlier this year, and government clearance came after a detailed national security review.

Key Commitments Under the Deal

To address public and political concerns, the deal includes legally binding commitments:

  • Royal Mail’s headquarters will remain in the UK.

  • The company will continue to provide the universal postal service, delivering six days a week at a standard price across the country.

  • Oversight mechanisms have been put in place under the UK’s national security and investment laws to ensure compliance and protect critical infrastructure.

Background

Daniel Křetínský, who is already a major investor in energy, media, and retail across Europe, had gradually increased his stake in IDS through his investment vehicle EP Group. His move to take full control of the company faced political scrutiny due to Royal Mail’s public service role.

However, the UK government concluded that the agreed safeguards were sufficient to proceed with the sale.

What’s Next?

The company has confirmed that day-to-day operations will remain unchanged, and current service levels and employee terms are not expected to be affected in the short term.

Křetínský has indicated that he plans to invest in modernising Royal Mail’s logistics and delivery network, with an emphasis on improving parcel efficiency and digital infrastructure.