Ashurst advises Equitix on Freedom Fibre Limited and VX Fiber Limited merger

Global law firm Ashurst has advised Equitix on the acquisition by Freedom Fibre Limited (FFL), a partly-owned subsidiary of Equitix, of the entire issued share capital of LilaConnect Limited and VX Fiber Limited, subsidiaries of VX UK Holdings Limited (VX), in exchange for an interest in Freedom Fibre Limited.

FFL and VX are both full fibre network operators that provide adjacent fibre to the premises networks, primarily in the Midlands and North West of England. Following the merger, the combined entity will provide fibre coverage for approximately 285,000 premises, both homes and businesses.

The Ashurst team was led by corporate partner Francesca Downes. She was supported by a core team of partner Jason Radford, senior associates Nick Lever, Camilla Booth-Clibborn and Denae Erasmus and associates Ellie Wilson and Emily Jones.

Partners Chris Bates, Rhiannon Webster and Sunny Kumar also supported from the digital economy team with assistance from counsel Rebecca Clarke, senior associates Tom Brookes, Matthew Hewitson and Emily McCracken and associate Nilesh Ray.

The wider team consisted of Neil Cuninghame and Steven Vaz leading on competition matters with support from senior associates Tom Punton, Danica Barley and associates Louisa Denison, Philippa Stacey and Letty Morris. Partner Laura Ho advised on finance advice with assistance from senior associate Bonnie Kwok and associate June Tong. Partners Ruth Buchanan, Crowley Woodford and associate Ella Stokes supported on employment aspects. Real estate partner Eleanor Reeves, counsel David Razzell and senior associates Olivia Barton and James Nierinck advised on planning and environment matters. Partner Patricia Allen led on tax aspects with support from associate Luis de Freitas. Counsel John Gordon led from the pensions team.