Eversheds Sutherland helps drive transfer of Greater Anglia rail into public ownership

Greater Anglia officially entered public ownership at 02:00am on Sunday 12 October 2025.

This latest transfer means that half of train operators, for which the Department for Transport is responsible, are now operated by publicly owned companies.

The transition was delivered under the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act and represents another milestone in the Government’s Plan for Change, aimed at creating a simpler, more unified railway that is accountable, efficient, and reliable.

A large, cross-practice team from Eversheds Sutherland advised the DfT and DfT Operator Limited throughout the process, providing rail, commercial, real estate, employment, pensions and data protection support.

Eversheds Sutherland’s rail team was co-led by Partners Mike Turner and Agnes Koko, Head of Transport. The wider team comprised: William Spickett, Partner; Andrew Bell, Legal Director; Madhulika Kanaujia, Principal Associate; Eleanor Gill and Thomas Holt, both Associates; and Lily Rooney-Walters, Trainee Solicitor as well Partners Phillip Tunney, Liz Fitzsimons, Lorna Doggett, Tom Bray and Mark Latimour.

In order to deliver the transfer, the Eversheds Sutherland team worked in collaboration with Government Legal Department (GLD) and DfT Operator Limited in-house lawyers. GLD lawyers were led by Jessica Walters, Matthew Box and Andrew Hudson and DfT Operator Limited lawyers were led by Jenny Henderson and Sarah Keir.

The transfer of Greater Anglia follows the team’s pivotal role in advising the DfT and DfT Operator Limited on the successful appointment of its in-house operator to take over South Western rail services from First MTR South Western Trains Limited in May 2025.

Mike Turner, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, said:

“We’re proud to have supported the DfT on yet another landmark rail transition. Greater Anglia’s move into public ownership is a significant step in the Government’s wider reform programme, and we’re pleased to have played a key role in helping deliver it. The collaboration across teams was exceptional, and we look forward to continuing our support as the programme progresses.”

Agnes Koko, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, said:

“This project builds on our longstanding relationship with the DfT and our deep sector experience. We’re delighted to have helped secure this milestone and contribute to the evolution of a more unified, passenger-focused railway.”