Linklaters advises on the completion of CK Hutchison and Three’s merger of Three UK and Vodafone UK

Linklaters has advised CK Hutchison Holdings Limited and the Three UK Group on completing the merger of Vodafone UK and Three UK.

The transaction successfully completed on 31 May 2025. Combining their respective telecommunications operations has created the largest mobile operator in the country.

The combined business, named VodafoneThree, is 51% owned by Vodafone and 49% by CK Hutchison Group Telecom Holdings Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited). Vodafone will fully consolidate VodafoneThree in its financial results.

VodafoneThree will invest £11 billion over the next 10 years - creating one of Europe’s most advanced 5G networks, giving millions of customers and businesses up and down the country a vastly superior mobile experience.

The completed merger will enable a new force in UK mobile, transform the country’s digital infrastructure and propel the UK to the forefront of European connectivity. The transaction completes the reshaping of Vodafone in Europe.

Linklaters’ cross-practice team was led by Corporate Partners Robert Cleaver and Hugo Stolkin, alongside Managing Associates Thomas Greenhalgh and Connor Chalmers, and Associates Sara Blum Specht, Robert Stutter and Christian Mok.

The TMT team was led by Partners Georgina Kon and Partner Rich Jones, Managing Associates Tatum Govender and Danny Greenland, and Nicholas Puschman.

The IP team was led by Partner Paul Joseph, alongside Managing Associate Stephanie Farrington and Associate Olivia Williams. 

The Tax team was led by Partner Chris Smale, with Dominic Markham.

The Pensions team was led by Partner Alasdair Smith. 

The Employment team was led by Counsel Emma Gray, with Managing Associate Anjali Raval.

The Incentives team was led by Partner Bradley Richardson. 

The Banking team was led by Counsel Jo Jimenez.