FIAT Auto has appointed Keith Bowles as managing director of its new in-house contract hire operation. Bowles spent 24 years with Swan National - initially with the company's car rental operation - before transferring to the leasing business where he was latterly southern divisional director.

He now heads up Fiat Auto Contracts - a joint venture company in which Fiat Auto has a 60% stake and ABN Amro Lease Holdings, Holland's largest bank and parent company of Lease Plan, has a 40% stake. The manufacturer is setting up in-house contract hire operations throughout its European subsidiaries with the first businesses being established in the UK and France.

Fiat UK's current leasing arrangements with Lombard Motor Finance have terminated and the new company has started trading with Fiat dealers able to contact the Fiat quotation line operated by Lease Plan for contract hire rates. Lease Plan is providing back office services.