Daniel Kretinsky says he’s willing to give staff a stake in Royal Mail

The Czech billionaire vying to take control of Royal Mail is willing to give workers a stake in the business in return for union leaders giving their blessing for his £3.6 billion takeover deal.

A source close to Daniel Kretinsky said that giving employees a stake “is absolutely something we are ready to consider” following talks with unions last week.

Kretinsky struck a deal to buy Royal Mail parent International Distribution Services (IDS) last month. The deal first needs the backing of shareholders, and then it has to pass scrutiny under the National Security and Investment Act.

Dave Ward, the general secretary of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents 110,000 of Royal Mail’s 130,000 workers, met with Kretinsky’s representatives last week to set out