We are delighted to confirm that a deal has been completed for the sale of York Pullman Bus Company Ltd (“York Pullman”), with advisory services provided by regional law firm Andrew Jackson and top 10 UK accountancy firm Azets.

The long-established family business has been acquired by FirstGroup plc which represents a strategic expansion in the North Yorkshire transport sector.

Tom James, owner and managing director of York Pullman, was advised by a legal team led by Susie Mortonson, Corporate Partner at Andrew Jackson.

Nick Barker, Corporate Finance Partner, led the team from Azets Yorkshire who also acted for York Pullman, with Karen Sadler, Senior Manager in Tax Advisory, providing the tax support.

Tom James will remain with York Pullman and continue to run the business under the same name with support from his existing team and First Bus, which is FirstGroup’s bus division.

The deal was announced in January before being completed on 23 February following standard regulatory reviews.

Susie Mortonson said: “It has been a pleasure to support and guide Tom and his team on this significant transaction. York Pullman is a fantastic business and I wish them every success as the business enters a new chapter as part of FirstGroup.”

Tom James said: “I am extremely grateful for the exceptional professional advice and guidance provided by Azets and Andrew Jackson Solicitors throughout the entire process. Their support will enable York Pullman to build and grow on its successes as it looks towards an exciting future with FirstGroup.”

York Pullman has more than 130 vehicles and comprises five well-established brands in regional and business-to-business operations in York and North Yorkshire.

These include home-to-school and college contracted services, private hire and local bus routes run on behalf of local councils.

The York Pullman name can be traced back to the 1920s before it was resurrected by Tom James in 2007. Vehicles were painted in the original Pullman livery colours as the company’s brand once again appeared on York’s city streets

First Bus is the second largest regional bus operator in the UK, serving two-thirds of the country’s 15 largest conurbations with a fleet of more than 4,500 buses, and carrying more than a million passengers a day.

Exact financial details of the sale were not disclosed.