The Birmingham firm advises on the acquisition of Yorkshire coach operators

Walsall-based BK Plus has advised The Go-Ahead Group on its acquisition of family-owned coach operators Procters Coaches, Compass Royston Travel, Esk Valley Coaches and Fourway Coaches.

The acquisition brings 200 staff, 140 vehicles and five warehouses under Go-Ahead.

These companies offer coach hire services in the UK and Europe. With all the acquired companies based in Yorkshire, this acquisition is expected to strengthen Go-Ahead’s presence in the region.

BK Plus advised the shareholders on the sale, with Jeni Bramley providing tax services including pre-sale restructuring, David Ross providing accounting and due diligence assistance and Tom Parry providing corporate finance advice.

DWF acted as legal advisers to the shareholders, led by Birmingham corporate partner Mark Gibson, alongside partner Tom Rank and solicitor Narissa Pankhania.

Jeni Bramley, tax partner at BK Plus, commented: “We are delighted to have been able to support the shareholders with the sale. The transaction was complex and structured around tight deadlines, but all parties worked together to make it happen. We are excited to see how Go-Ahead will grow the coach operator business and are delighted to have been able to witness the association.”

Mark Gibson, Partner at DWF Solicitors said: “We are delighted to have contributed to the successful completion of this transaction. Our focus was to ensure that all legal aspects were handled efficiently and that the sellers’ interests were well represented
throughout the process.”