THE postal workers union has welcomed the resignations of eight non-executive directors from International Distribution Services, the company from which EP Group has acquired Royal Mail.

Communication Workers Union (CWU) general secretary Dave Ward said today that Royal Mail’s board members have “destroyed the service provided to millions of customers and businesses and have callously targeted their own workforce in the attempt to create a low wage, gig-economy-style employer. 

“The CWU will now work with the new board members to ensure the full terms of our groundbreaking agreement with EP Group are upheld.”

Today, EP Group announced that former Tory minister Greg Hands has been appointed as a strategic adviser to the conglomerate run by Czech tycoon Daniel Kretinsky.

The former trade minister has known Mr Kretinsky for “a long time,” the latter said, and will advise the group in Britain and in Germany.

His “deep understanding of … business and energy landscapes, coupled with his extensive experience in government and international trade, will be invaluable,” Mr Kretinsky said.