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Billionaire Kretinsky's Royal Mail takeover bid delayed

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on March 5, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 25, 2026

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Billionaire Kretinsky's Royal Mail takeover bid delayed
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(Reuters) - The completion of EP Group's takeover of Royal Mail-owner International Distribution Services is likely to be delayed to the second quarter of 2025 due to regulatory issues in Romania, the

Billionaire Kretinsky's Royal Mail takeover bid delayed

(Reuters) - The completion of EP Group's takeover of Royal Mail-owner International Distribution Services is likely to be delayed to the second quarter of 2025 due to regulatory issues in Romania, the company said on Wednesday.

The only regulatory condition that needs resolving pertains to foreign direct investment in Romania, Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group said, adding that it expects the condition to be met in the second quarter.

The British government approved the 3.57-billion-pound ($4.58 billion) deal in December 2024 and it was expected to close in the first quarter of this year.

($1 = 0.7801 pounds)

(Reporting by Yamini Kalia and Chandini Monnappa in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai)

Key Takeaways

  • EP Group's Royal Mail takeover delayed to Q2 2025.
  • Regulatory issues in Romania cause the delay.
  • British government approved the deal in December 2024.
  • The deal is valued at 3.57 billion pounds.
  • Foreign direct investment in Romania is the main hurdle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the reason for the delay in the Royal Mail takeover?
The completion of the takeover is likely to be delayed due to regulatory issues in Romania, specifically related to foreign direct investment.
When was the Royal Mail takeover deal approved?
The British government approved the 3.57-billion-pound deal in December 2024.
What is the expected new timeline for the takeover's completion?
The takeover is now expected to close in the second quarter of 2025.
Who is behind the EP Group's takeover bid?
The takeover bid is led by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky.
What was the initial expected closing date for the deal?
The deal was initially expected to close in the first quarter of this year.

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