Shoosmiths has advised FIH Group plc on the sale of the entire issued share capital of The Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company Limited to Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.

Published: 17 March 2026

Shoosmiths has advised FIH Group plc on the sale of the entire issued share capital of The Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company Limited for c. £11.6m to TC Gosport Bidco Limited, a company controlled by the indirect majority owner of Collins River Enterprises Limited, trading as Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.

The Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company has operated passenger ferry services between Gosport and Portsmouth since 1883 and is a well-established transport link within the Solent region. The business operates the Gosport Ferry service, a long-standing and strategically important route connecting the two harbour towns.

Shoosmiths acted for the seller, FIH group plc, an AIM listed specialist services group with  businesses in the Falkland Islands and the UK. FIH group is a long-standing client of the firm.

The Shoosmiths team was led by Corporate Partner Nick McCarthy and Legal Director Natalia Tombs, supported by Senior Associate Molly Vandervell and Trainee Solicitor Tazmin Clements. The tax elements of the transaction were led by Partner Laura Board and Associate Thomas Wilkinson, and real estate advice was provided by Partner Lisa Williams and Principal Associate Natasha Sladen. The buyer was advised by Norton Rose Fulbright.

Stuart Munro, Chief Executive at FIH group, commented:

“The Shoosmiths team’s advice and execution were first-class. Supportive, efficient and commercially astute, they delivered exactly as promised and played a key role in achieving another excellent result. We would not hesitate to work with them again.”

Nick McCarthy, Partner at Shoosmiths, commented:

“We are delighted to have supported FIH Group on this sale. The Gosport Ferry is a historic, regional transport service. It was a privilege to work alongside the FIH team to deliver the transaction, and it is another successful outcome advised on by Shoosmiths.”

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

“We are really 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 Shoosmiths and Norton Rose Fulbright teams, as well as the management team of the Gosport Ferry, for their professional and collaborative engagement throughout this process.”

Shoosmiths continues to advise listed companies and private groups on strategic disposals and acquisitions, drawing on integrated corporate, tax and real estate expertise to deliver seamless support on complex transactions.