Royal Mail announces up to 2,500 job cuts

London: British postal operator Royal Mail -- acquired in 2025 by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky -- announced Wednesday plans to cut up to 2,500 jobs, representing about two percent of its workforce.

The company "is undergoing a significant transformation" in "a rapidly-changing market", the company said in a statement to explain the planned voluntary redundancies and non-replacement of staff who leave the company, for example through retirement.

"Letter volumes have declined by more than 70 percent since their peak, whilst customer demand for faster and more convenient parcel delivery services continues to grow," Royal Mail added Wednesday.


The company said the planned cuts to head office and support function roles should be completed by the end of 2027.

"There would be no reductions in operational frontline roles in delivery and processing" mail, it noted.

Kretinsky's EP Group completed the purchase of Royal Mail owner IDS for £3.6-billion in 2025.

Prior to its takeover, the former state monopoly, which was privatised in 2013, suffered also from delays in delivering mail and strikes over pay.

The UK government has retained a so-called golden share in the centuries-old Royal Mail, granting it veto power to ensure the postal operator's headquarters and tax residency remain the UK.

Kretinsky made his fortune in the energy sector before ramping up investments across various countries and sectors.