A SPECIALIST division to serve the sub-100 fleet sector is to be launched by Arval PHH following a restructuring of its 'key' fleet business.

And the January 1, 2001 launch of the specialist operation to be headed up by Vincent St Claire, who joined Arval PHH almost two years ago, heralds the departure from the company of David Bourne, who has been joint managing director of the company with Jeremy Hay since the merger of Arval and PHH following the latter's acquisition by BNP Paribas earlier this year.

Bourne, who was managing director of Ryland Multifleet prior to its acquisition by BNP Paribas, which subsequently renamed the company Arval, left the company this week.

Keith Greenhead, director of fuel at Arval PHH, is also retiring at the end of the year. He has been at PHH for 13 years, mostly in charge of developing the company's AllStar fuel card and is to be replaced by Martin Hender.

Hender brings almost 20 years international experience of the fuel sector to his new role as director of fuel. He joined the company in 1998 following the integration of the Harpur Group, where he had been managing director of the UK business, running Overdrive and Dial.

Jeremy Hay, managing director of Arval PHH, said of Greenhead: 'He has been integral to the success of the AllStar brand and we thank him enormously for his leadership in this area. His knowledge and commitment have been exceptional, and he is respected throughout the industry as one of the major authorities on fuel issues.'

Hay said the new fleet business would provide a comprehensive range of fleet, fuel management and finance options for sub-100 fleets.

Arval PHH presently has 31,000 units in fleets under 100 vehicles - 75% of which are Arval customers. PHH says it has 200,000 AllStar fuel cards in circulation with businesses operating under seven vehicles.

Hay said: 'We have the database and all the leads at PHH and Arval has the salesforce and operation to target the smaller fleets.'

The Arval side of the business will continue to based in the West Midlands. Hopes are high that 5,000 small fleet units will be added to the fleet next year, taking it to 36,000 units.