Richard Hughes
Partner
Richard is an infrastructure specialist advising on rail, bus, and energy transition, with expertise in procurement, franchising, and investment.
Partner
Richard is an infrastructure specialist advising on rail, bus, and energy transition, with expertise in procurement, franchising, and investment.
Language - English
Jurisdiction - England & Wales
Richard is a leading expert in transport and transport finance, ranked by Chambers and Legal 500. He has built strong relationships with key decision-makers at major funds, banks, asset lessors, and operators.
Richard’s experience spans drafting and negotiating rolling stock and bus fleet procurements, franchise and concession agreements for both operators and government, and depot development and operations.
He is at the forefront of the energy transition in transport, advising on hydrogen and battery power for rail, bus, and facilities management. His work includes contracts for hydrogen production and import into the EU, and converting coal-fired power stations to green fuels.
Richard is the go-to adviser for one of the world’s largest facilities management companies and is an authority on cross-jurisdictional agreements.
Recognised for his thought leadership in rail, zero-emission vehicle financing, and sustainability, Richard’s insights appear in Rail magazine, Lexology, and the National Law Review.
Transportation and trade
Advising financiers on the financing of (i) new and existing rolling stock; (ii) new bus fleets and infrastructure; and (iii) rail depot developments and advising on various bids and direct awards for UK franchises.
Energy and natural resources
Richard advises on hydrogen, energy transition, and electric vehicles, including a 100-MW green hydrogen project, coal-to-green fuel conversions, and EV finance platform development.
Projects, energy and infrastructure
Notable projects include rolling stock procurements, new bus fleets and infrastructure and rail depot developments.
Rail Finance
Development and implementation of a rail infrastructure enhancement financing structures; the procurement, financing, leasing and operation of a £1.2 bn order of new rolling stock; and advising an international bank on the sale of its €500 million European passenger and freight rolling stock business.
Commercial, outsourcing and technology
Advises facilities management providers on bidding, contract awards, service operations, contract extensions, and resolving disputes related to service delivery.
