Henslow advises the shareholders of ActivateRail on its sale to Protech Group
Henslow is pleased to announce that we have advised the shareholders of ActivateRail Pty Ltd on the sale of 100% of the company to Protech Group (Aust) Pty Ltd, one of Australia’s leading workforce solutions providers and part of the global Proman Group. The transaction completed on 9 September 2026 following ACCC approval.
Established in 2018 when it was demerged from Sterling, a leading national structural engineering, asset management and civil and construction services advisory group, ActivateRail has grown to be a leading provider of rail safeworking and track protection services in Victoria. Along the way it has built a reputation for safety, quality and delivery that has made it an important part of the Victorian rail sector, servicing clients such as Metro Trains Melbourne, ARTC and V/Line.
Founded in 2006, Protech Group is one of Australia’s leading workforce solutions providers, delivering skilled, technical and professional personnel to Australia’s technical industries. In 2026 Protech entered a strategic equity partnership with Proman, the family owned French group that ranks among the largest workforce solutions providers globally.
Henslow acted as exclusive corporate adviser to the shareholders, running a competitive sell side process, identifying Protech as the right partner for the business and negotiating the transaction through to Completion. The acquisition marks the next stage of growth, bringing together ActivateRail’s specialist rail capability with Protech’s national platform. The transaction adds to Henslow’s track record in transport infrastructure and rail services and in advising family owned businesses on realising the value of what they have built.
The shareholders of ActivateRail were also supported by Danaher Moulton. The Protech team were supported by Piper Alderman.
We look forward to watching ActivateRail continue to grow as part of Protech Group and to supporting the shareholders in their next chapter.
