LEASE Plan has opened a new office in Eire, aiming to capitalise on the booming company car market in the Republic. The strong Irish economy has seen its fleet market grow more quickly than the majority of northern European countries. Sharon O'Buachalla will be managing director of Dublin-based Lease Plan Fleet Management Services Ireland Ltd.

Vahid Daemi, Lease Plan UK's managing director, said: 'Lease Plan's ability to service pan-European clients, already considerable, is further enhanced by this expansion. As companies continue to globalise operations, they require a supplier who can support global policies whilst possessing the local knowledge to deal with national differences.'

Lease Plan now operates in 17 European countries, as well as the United States, Australia and New Zealand.