Daniel Křetínský Consolidates Business Empire Under New EP Group
Czech businessman Daniel Křetínský has streamlined his business holdings by establishing the EP Group, a new entity encompassing his diverse portfolio of companies. This move consolidates his control over key assets, including the energy giant EPH, and positions him for future growth.
The EP Group, registered as a trademark, brings together EPH, the primary energy holding, alongside six other companies spanning various sectors, from media to retail. Křetínský, personally leading the EP Group, will be joined on the board by his trusted lieutenants: Jan Špringl, responsible for energy operations, CFO Pavel Horský, and Legal Affairs chief Marek Spurný. Notably, Špringl assumes the role of CEO at EPH, while Křetínský retains his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Essentially, the EP Group represents a rebranding of the previous EP Corporate Group. Its primary objective is to centralize Křetínský’s ownership and management of his diverse investments. Currently, he shares ownership of EPH and other ventures with investors like Patrik Tká
and the J&T group.The EP Group, however, signifies a distinct entity solely owned by Křetínský and his closest collaborators, granting them exclusive control over his future endeavors.
Within the EP group’s structure, EPH retains its significance, accounting for 56% of the ownership. The remaining 44% is divided between Tká
and J&T. EPH, encompassing EPIF, houses the crown jewels of Křetínský’s energy portfolio: heating plants, power plants in the Czech Republic, and Slovakia’s gas infrastructure. Recent agreements indicate that a substantial portion of EPH will also incorporate slovak power plants, further solidifying its dominance in the energy sector.
Looking ahead, Pavel Horský, CFO of both EPH and EP Group, outlined their strategic vision: “Our strategy for the following years is organic growth and diversification. This should include us, thanks to the expected annual sales exceeding EUR 100 billion, among the 15 largest businesses within Europe.”
czech billionaire Pavel Křetínský is consolidating his vast business empire under the umbrella of the EP Group. This powerhouse will encompass a wide array of sectors, from customary energy to cutting-edge technology and media.
One of the most notable additions to the EP Group is EP Energy Transition. This newly formed entity houses Křetínský’s coal operations in Germany, primarily Leag, a company controlling mines and power plants in Saxony and Brandenburg. Křetínský initially acquired Leag alongside Petr Kellner and PPF; PPF still maintains a 30% stake.
Beyond energy, the EP Group will be a diverse entity, managing stakes in a variety of sectors.this includes EP Global Commerce,which oversees holdings in the German retail chain Macro,Czech Media Invest (owner of popular newspapers Blesk and Reflex),and EC Investments,which boasts stakes in online marketplaces like Heureka,Fast,and Cart. Real estate is also part of the portfolio through EP Real Estate.
Křetínský utilizes the EP Group as the central platform for his aspiring European investment projects. Last year, he made headlines with his entry into German steelmaker thyssenkrupp, securing a 5% stake and actively pursuing another 30%. moreover, he is in the process of acquiring British Royal Mail, having already secured all necessary regulatory approvals and awaiting the decision of existing shareholders on his public takeover offer.
“At least in terms of consolidated sales, the EP Group is the largest company based in the Czech Republic,” stated Daniel Častvaj, a spokesperson for the group.
