Norton Rose Fulbright advises Uber Boat by Thames Clippers on acquisition of The Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised Uber Boat by Thames Clippers on its acquisition of The Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company Limited and its subsidiaries (PHFC) from FIH group plc for approximately £11.6 million.

PHFC is a long-established ferry operator providing passenger services across the mouth of Portsmouth harbour from Gosport to Portsea for more than a century. The acquisition marks a significant expansion of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers' footprint in the UK passenger ferry market.

The Norton Rose Fulbright team was led by London-based corporate partner Chris Randall, supported by associate Daniel Femi-Alemede (corporate). Additional support was provided by relationship partner Andrew Williams (banking), partners David Hawkins (real estate) and Matthew Hodkin (tax), together with associates Emma Bond (real estate) and Georgina Leith (tax).

The Uber Boat by Thames Clippers team was led by Liam Hather (Chief Financial Officer) and Gareth Jones (Head of Legal and Group Company Secretary), with support from Holly Dobbins (Senior Legal Counsel). FIH Group plc were advised by Shoosmiths.

Norton Rose Fulbright has extensive experience advising clients on UK and international M&A transactions across the transport and infrastructure sectors.

Chris Randall, Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, commented:

"It was great to support the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers team on this strategic acquisition of a historic ferry operator. The successful outcome was a result of excellent collaboration between the UBTC team and our cross-disciplinary advisers. Transport continues to be a highly active sector for M&A, and this transaction is further evidence of that momentum."

Gareth Jones, Head of Legal and Group Company Secretary at Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, commented:

"We are very pleased to complete this important transaction, and look forward to continuing to provide this much-admired, long-standing ferry service linking the historic communities of Portsmouth and Gosport. I would like to share my thanks to both the Norton Rose Fulbright and Shoosmiths teams, as well as the management team of the Gosport Ferry, for their professional and constructive engagement throughout. This is the third major transaction that the Norton Rose Fulbright team have supported us with in the past couple of years, and they have been a great partner for us through this phase of high-growth in our business."