Kretinsky set to take control position at West Ham after ownership reshuffle

Daniel Kretinsky is set to become West Ham United’s largest shareholder after agreeing a deal that will increase his stake in the club from 27% to 46%.The transaction follows an attempt by Amanda Staveley to acquire the 25.1% stake held by the Gold family, which triggered pre-emption rights allowing West Ham’s existing shareholders to take priority over the proposed sale.The resulting agreement will see Kretinsky acquire a significant portion of the available shares, while former chairman David Sullivan is expected to increase his holding from 38.8% to 40%.American investor Tripp Smith is set to increase his stake from 8% to 11%, with the remaining shareholders collectively holding around 3%.The ownership changes would leave Kretinsky as the club’s single largest investor and significantly strengthen his influence over West Ham’s strategic direction as they seek to rebuild following relegation from the Premier League.Kretinsky, who first invested in West Ham in 2021, also controls International Distribution Services, the parent company of Royal Mail, through his EP Group investment vehicle.The restructuring represents a setback for Staveley, who had agreed a deal with the Gold family during the summer and was leading a consortium seeking representation on West Ham’s board.Existing shareholder rights ultimately gave Kretinsky, Sullivan and Smith the opportunity to absorb the Gold shares before the proposed transaction with Staveley could proceed.The deal also produces an unusual balance of power at West Ham. Sullivan will remain a major shareholder despite stepping down as a director and co-chair in June, while Kretinsky becomes the club’s largest economic stakeholder.Sullivan’s position is currently being examined by the Independent Football Regulator under its owners, directors and senior executives regime. The regulator has said its enquiries remain active, although the latest shareholding changes are not expected to trigger a separate review.West Ham, Kretinsky, Sullivan and the Gold family have not commented publicly on the transaction.The ownership reshuffle comes at an important financial moment for the club, with relegation increasing pressure on revenues and making decisions around investment, cost control and a potential return to the Premier League more significant.Kretinsky’s increased stake would give him the strongest individual position within that process, while leaving West Ham with three shareholders controlling the vast majority of the club’s equity.