NISSAN is recruiting fleet staff from outside the motor industry as part of a radical new approach to developing its corporate department. More than 1,500 people from across the country have responded to a series of advertisements for business staff placed by Nissan Fleet in the Grocer, the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday. Just eight will be chosen to spearhead the company's new regional fleet operations.

The move gives further evidence that the motor industry - and particularly the fleet industry - is increasingly attracting high calibre job seekers for management positions following image problems during the 1970s and 1980s. 'One way to make sure you do not get left behind is to encourage cross-fertilisation in the fleet department - and this means getting new people with new ideas involved in your business,' said fleet director Simon Carr. 'The trick is to get the right balance. 'We have been targeting business-to-business people - not just traditional sales staff. The response has been excellent, and of a very high standard. Some candidates were very over-qualified - there really are a lot of capable people out there who want to work in our industry.'