Activa Contracts has credited hard work and innovation as two of the key reasons behind being named leasing company of the year - up to 20,000 vehicles at the Fleet News Awards.

The award was presented at a ceremony attended by around 1,450 people at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

Activa Contracts has more than 7,000 company cars and vans on its books, which it leases to a wide array of organisations ranging from blue chip businesses to SMEs and charities. Additionally, the company provides a comprehensive range of in-life vehicle management services to keep client’s vehicles on the road.

It is a division of Arnold Clark Finance Ltd and a member of the Arnold Clark Group, Europe’s largest independently-owned vehicle dealer group.

Ian Hill, managing director of Activa Contracts, said: "We operate in a mature market where no provider has a genuine unique selling point - products offered are broadly similar. So it is not what we do that differentiates us, but how we do it.

"We offer the best of both worlds; the backing and stability of being part of Europe’s largest private motor group together with the service commitment of a family business.”

Activa Contracts was one of four finalists for the award. 

In naming the company as the winner, the independent panel of judges commented: “Activa has an outstanding end of contract process and fines administration policy which alleviate many of the concerns and points of conflict fleets have with leasing companies.

"Its broad product offering, commitment to customer service and long-standing partnerships with key fleets made it a worthy winner.”

Hill added: “Winning such an award is not down to luck. It is the result of hard work by a lot of people to deliver industry-leading fleet products and solutions to customers backed up by a willingness to ensure whatever clients require they receive to improve the efficiency and operational effectiveness of their transport operation.”