Royal Mail's New Ownership and Future Prospects

Royal Mail is set to change ownership, as the Czech billionaire Daniel Kratinsky is expected to finalize the acquisition of the company, a significant part of the UK's postal service. This acquisition comes with commitments from Kratinsky to ensure that the government retains a degree of oversight, including a 'golden share' arrangement that requires government approval for any substantial changes in the company’s operations. The deal also includes guarantees for existing staff, such as protecting jobs against compulsory redundancies until a planned review is completed, and offering workers a share of future dividends. The transition presents challenges for Royal Mail as it seeks to adapt and enhance efficiency in a declining letter business, particularly in the competitive parcel delivery market.