Twice winner of the Fleet News award for best medium fleet and the first UK fleet manager to complete the Institute of Car Fleet Management's diploma in fleet management, Carson is extensively involved with the new RAC-sponsored ICFM scholarship. He is now actively seeking a new position in the fleet industry and is upbeat about his prospects.

'This situation has been building up for a long time,' said Carson. 'Norsk Data and I decided that it was in both our interests that I pursued my career outside the company. It seemed to me that the company didn't want to take a long term view and there were few opportunities for being creative.' Norsk Data declined to comment.