The Czech billionaire who has taken over Royal Mail has hired a former Conservative minister to advise him on his business interests.

Greg Hands, who served as trade minister before losing his seat in last summer’s election, will take up the role of special adviser to Daniel Kretinsky.

Mr Kretinsky’s EP Group said Mr Hands would provide strategic counsel focused on regulatory and market developments in the UK and Germany.

It said the appointment would help the company to “expand its portfolio across both countries, aligning with the company’s commitment to secure and sustainable energy solutions”.

It comes just weeks after Mr Kretinsky secured his £3.6bn takeover of Royal Mail in a deal that resulted in the postal service falling into foreign ownership for the first time in its 500-year history.

In addition to Royal Mail, EP UK owns a number of energy assets in the UK, including a gas-fired power plant in Stallingborough and the South Humber Bank station, both in Lincolnshire.

EP has enjoyed surging profits in recent years thanks to market turmoil sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

It is also one of a handful of energy companies to have cashed in millions of pounds when Britain’s wind farms are turned off because of congestion on the grid.

Mr Kretinsky said: “We are delighted to welcome Greg Hands to EP Group. His deep understanding of the UK and German business and energy landscapes, coupled with his extensive experience in government and international trade, will be invaluable as we navigate the evolving sectors in these key markets.

“Greg has unique capabilities for the job, including fluency in German and good Czech, and understands many of our markets very well.”

Mr Hands said: “I have known Daniel Kretinsky for a long time, and I know that EP Group has a strong track record in energy and infrastructure.

“I look forward to contributing to its continued growth and commitment to energy security and sustainable energy solutions in these regions.”

While Mr Hands’s role appears to be focused on Mr Kretinsky’s energy assets, the appointment comes at a time when much of the billionaire’s focus is likely to be on Royal Mail.

He has outlined plans to invest heavily in parcels as he attempts to transform Royal Mail into a modern logistics giant. But he will also be required to navigate discussions with ministers and regulators over the future of Royal Mail’s universal service obligations, which require it to deliver six days a week at a uniform price.

Bosses have argued that stringent rules have left the company financially unsustainable amid a sharp decline in letter sending. Last month Ofcom said Royal Mail had missed its delivery targets in the latest financial year, raising the prospect of a potential fine for the third year running.