Highgate advised Abellio on the management buyout of Abellio UK

Highgate is delighted to have advised Abellio on its communications and stakeholder management strategy through the management buyout (MBO) of Abellio UK from the Dutch state-owned rail company, Nederlandse Spoorwegen.

The MBO was led by Abellio UK managing director Dominic Booth and will lead to establishment of a new UK-based company Transport UK Group Limited. The company currently operates four train companies in the United Kingdom and over 50 London bus routes.

The deal is subject to formal approval from Abellio's partners, including the Department for Transport, Transport for London and Merseytravel, and regulatory consent from the Office for Rail and Road.

Highgate Senior Vice-President Patrick Harrison said: “This is a complex transaction involving multiple stakeholders in an issue-rich and politically sensitive environment. It is exactly the type of area where Highgate operates. Abellio UK has led the way in revolutionising transport services across the country and, under new ownership, will no doubt continue to do so. We were pleased to bring our expertise to the deal and advise the Abellio UK management team on this transaction.”