Billionaire businessman ‘the Czech Sphinx’ eyes London energy float

Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is considering a potential float of his energy empire in London

The Czech billionaire with stakes in Royal Mail and Sainsbury’s is considering a potential float of his energy empire in London.

Daniel Kretinsky, known as the ‘Czech Sphinx’ for his inscrutable investment style, set tongues wagging in the City after piling into British stocks that he believes are undervalued.

He snapped up 15.6 per cent of Royal Mail – and netted a huge paper profit when the shares soared – as well as 10 per cent of supermarket group Sainsbury’s. 

And now the tycoon, who is reportedly worth £3billion, has launched a major shake-up of his business that could see it float on the stock market.

Kretinsky’s EP Infrastructure announced a strategic review, ‘which may include an initial public offering’.

The firm supplies gas and electricity to customers largely based in Eastern Europe, but London is seen as a potential venue for the float. 

Kretinsky, who made his fortune in energy, is co-owner of Czech football team Sparta Prague.

The father-of-one has also built up stakes in German retail giant Metro and French supermarket group Casino, as well as French newspaper Le Monde.