Freeths Advises Porterbrook on Acquisition of Corelink Fleets
Law firm Freeths has advised leading rolling stock financier and asset management company Porterbrook on its acquisition of 404 rail vehicles from Corelink Rail Infrastructure Limited.
Owning and managing around 25% of Britain’s passenger rail fleet, Porterbrook, a long-standing client of top 50 UK law firm Freeths, is a key player in driving innovation and sustainability across the rail industry.
Corelink is a joint venture between Infracapital and Pan-European Infrastructure II, a fund managed and advised by DWS Group.
The acquired fleet comprises 324 Class 730 Aventra electric units and 80 Class 196 diesel units, which together account for 60% of West Midlands Trains’ network operations. The Aventra units will be maintained at the Bletchley Train Maintenance Depot, which underwent a £66 million upgrade funded by Porterbrook last year.
This deal will allow Porterbrook to strengthen its established partnership with West Midlands Trains and ensure the continued delivery of modern, energy-efficient fleets across key UK routes.
Leading the Freeths team on this acquisition was Partner Tom Johnson. He was supported by Corporate Partner Dahren Naidoo, Commercial Director Rachel Crosier, Corporate Director Melanie Mapstone, Corporate Managing Associate Megan Atack and Commercial Senior Associate Michael Wells.
Tom Johnson commented: “This transaction marks a pivotal moment for Porterbrook as it continues to shape the future of UK rail. Our team was delighted to play a role in a deal that not only enhances operational resilience for West Midlands Trains, but also accelerates the industry’s transition towards greener, more efficient transport solutions. As a certified B Corp, we’re passionate about working on projects that deliver long-term environmental benefits.”
ABOUT FREETHS
Freeths is a top 50 commercial law firm, trusted by leading private and public sector clients including Centrica PLC, ENGIE, Aldi, Mercedes-Benz UK, Tarmac, Experian, and Lloyds Bank.
Recognised for its landmark High Court victory for 555 sub-postmaster clients against the Post Office – one of the most significant miscarriages of justice in British legal history – Freeths continues to advise on the subsequent GLO and Horizon Convictions Redress compensation schemes.
As a certified B Corporation (B Corp), Freeths is committed to responsible business practices, demonstrating its focus on delivering the highest standards of environmental and social impact, governance and inclusion. This commitment is reflected in accolades such as Diversity Champion status from Stonewall, Gold accreditation from Investors in People (2025), Tommy’s Champion status (2025), and recognition as a Top 30 Employer by Working Families (2025). Freeths is also featured in the Legal 500 Green Guide 2026 for its sustainability leadership.
An award-winning firm, Freeths has been named Law Firm of the Year at the City AM Awards 2025 and the Legal Business Awards 2024, and was runner-up for UK Firm of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2025.
