Greg Hands joins EP Group as strategic adviser, focusing on UK and Germany

In the United Kingdom, Greg Hands, a former minister, has been appointed as strategic adviser for EP Group, following the company's acquisition of Royal Mail's parent firm. This appointment was officially announced on Monday. Daniel Kretinsky, the Czech billionaire behind EP Group, recognized Hands' extensive experience and understanding of the business landscapes in both the UK and Germany. This strategic move comes after the completion of a £3.6 billion takeover approved by shareholders earlier in April, which marked a significant shift as it introduced foreign ownership to a historically domestic institution. Hands, who served as the minister for trade policy until losing his parliamentary seat last summer, expressed his eagerness to contribute to EP Group's growth, particularly focusing on energy security and sustainable solutions in the mentioned regions. Furthermore, Kretinsky highlighted the value that Hands' experience in government and international trade would bring to navigating the evolving markets. Thus, this strategic adviser role is expected to leverage Hands' fluency in German and knowledge of several markets, supporting EP Group's ambitions in these key areas. The takeover signifies a critical transition in Royal Mail's long history of British ownership and could indicate future changes within the company’s operations. The implications of having an international investor involve not just potential changes in administration and business strategy but also a shift in focus towards better aligning with modern energy and infrastructure demands.