Northern Ireland’s largest contract hire and fleet management company, Fleet Financial, is ramping up plans to expand its base in Great Britain.

The fast-growing company, which was acquired last year by Lookers’ Charles Hurst division, is deploying two key locally-based staff in Manchester and Newcastle as part of a strategy to lift its total fleet size in the UK and Ireland to more than 5,000 by 2016.

Around a fifth of Fleet Financial’s current fleet of 3,800 vehicles are already based in Great Britain.

The 16 year-old company said it is keen to leverage its Northern Ireland success and experience by maintaining its focus on strong customer service and competitive pricing to grow a greater UK market share, particularly among businesses with a fleet size of around 500 and under.

Fleet Financial sales and marketing director Philip Miley (pictured) said: “Fleet Financial is an ambitious, forward-looking company which puts customers first – regardless of the size of their business.

“To capitalise on our success closer to home, we are delighted to invest in the deployment of additional staff in Great Britain which will ensure that our focus on customer service, quality and price is fully and properly maintained.

“Backed by the experience and success of Lookers, one of the UK’s largest motor dealer groups, we’re confident that this latest investment in our plans for expansion demonstrates our committment to deliver.”

As part of its growth strategy, Fleet Financial has appointed experienced contract hire and leasing specialists Neil O’Connor and Mark Proudfoot as business development managers to drive sales in the key North East and North West areas.

Miley added: “Fleet Financial already has a strong footprint in the local market and its committment to deliver for its customers is already paying dividends. 

“Customers are genuinely thrilled by our ‘can do’ attitude and our partnership appoach – and not least by the level of support and advice we provide and which isn’t replicated elsewhere.”

Fleet Financial was bought by the Charles Hurst Group – a major trading division of leading UK automative group Lookers plc – in June 2012.

The company, which employs around 30 staff and has contracts with many high-profile brands such as Sky, AXA Insurance, Phoenix Gas, C&C Group, Dale Farm and SHS Group, continues to trade as a seperate division of the Charles Hurst Group, operating under the Fleet Financial name.