A sale and leaseback arrangement will move to full contract hire as cars are replaced. Julia Grace, Redland Bricks senior personnel officer based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, said Swan won the account against strong competition from six other companies. She said: 'They were clear winners in our eyes. They demonstrated experience and clarity of thinking and impressed us with their level of service at an extremely competitive price.'

Grace said she had managed the fleet herself prior to the move with sister company Redland Distribution operating on the purchasing side. She said that while the switch to Swan was mainly financially-driven there would be saving in administration.