EUROPEANCHAPTER

Daniel Křetínský, known as the Czech Sphinx, is poised to become the first private owner of Royal Mail in its 500-year history, after the board of International Distribution Services (IDS) agreed to his £3.57bn takeover bid. Despite Royal Mail's financial struggles, Křetínský believes he can modernize and restore profitability to the company, aiming to make it one of Europe's largest logistics firms. The deal, which must still be approved by IDS shareholders and potentially scrutinized under the National Security and Investment Act, includes a series of five-year commitments to maintain Royal Mail's universal service, branding, and union recognition.

The gender disparity in access to company share schemes has significantly increased, with men now four times more likely than women to participate, according to analysis by Vestd. This disparity is attributed to the existing gender pay gap, where higher earners, predominantly men, are more likely to be included in executive share incentive plans, and women, earning less on average, face challenges in saving and purchasing shares. HR experts suggest implementing initiatives to support women advancing to higher-paying roles, promoting equity in compensation programs, and educating employees about the benefits of share schemes to address this inequality.

Revolut plans to allow employees to cash in shares worth US$500 million, with Morgan Stanley likely coordinating the process later in 2024. This transaction, aimed solely at employees without raising new capital, seeks to maintain Revolut's US$33 billion valuation from its 2021 funding round, bolstered by a doubling of FY2023 revenue to £1.7 billion and a growing customer base exceeding 40 million. As Revolut awaits its full UK banking license, it continues to expand its offerings, including launching an eSIM and advanced AI fraud protection, underscoring its confidence in achieving its high valuation.

Morgan Stanley at Work's fourth annual State of the Workplace Financial Benefits Study reveals a growing demand for equity compensation among employees and HR leaders at both public and private companies. The study highlights that equity compensation is a top driver of employee engagement and retention, with 95% of HR leaders and 80% of employees recognizing its motivational impact. However, awareness and education gaps persist, as only 38% of employees are aware of these benefits, indicating significant opportunities for companies to enhance their equity compensation education programs.

Revolut, the UK's leading fintech startup, plans to allow employees to sell approximately £400 million worth of shares later this year, managed by Morgan Stanley. Despite its rapid growth and a $33 billion valuation peak in 2021, Revolut's valuation has recently dropped to $25.7 billion amid challenging market conditions and difficulties securing a banking license. The planned secondary sale aims to boost Revolut's value and facilitate further growth, while facing competition from rival Monzo, which has shown significant fundraising success and growth.

British computing startup Raspberry Pi plans to list on the London Stock Exchange, marking a significant win for the struggling U.K. stock market. The company, known for its single-board computers, aims to publish a registration document as part of its IPO process, with the majority shareholder being the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Despite London’s challenges in attracting tech listings, Raspberry Pi’s IPO reflects its growth, with $265.8 million in revenues and $43.5 million in adjusted earnings in 2023, and substantial backing from Sony and Arm.