Addleshaws nudges out Ashurst on Skanska PFI

Ashurst advised the Swedish-headquartered construction company on a number of major deals, including the £6.2bn M25 project.

But Skanska has instructed Addleshaws partner Richard Guit to advise on the £74m Surrey streetlighting PFI, on which it has been appointed preferred bidder.

A 50-50 joint venture between Skanska and John Laing will manage the design, build, finance and operation of the lighting columns throughout Surrey for a 25-year period.

Pinsent Masons is advising Surrey County Council, following an earlier mandate on construction work.

Lead partner Patrick Twist said: “It’s the last one of the streetlighting projects being done under the ­negotiated procedure; the new ones will all be under ­competitive dialogue, which is a much longer process.”