HONDA'S head of corporate sales Nick Phillips is to leave the company to become sales director of specialist structured personal car leasing provider Provecta Car Plan.

Phillips has been in charge of Honda's fleet business for five years during which time he has seen sales triple largely on the strength of the Accord and more recently the Civic. A replacement for Phillips, who will leave in the near future, has yet to be announced.

Phillips joined Honda nine years ago initially as dealer principal of Lex Honda in Hemel Hempstead before spending two years as a regional manager.

Based in London the new position will see Phillips talking to major companies about restructuring their fleet arrangements in line with increased demand for flexible benefits packages. Provecta was launched in 1995 and is a privately owned business.

'More companies are looking at flexible remuneration packages for their staff and cars fall into that category,' said Phillips. 'I have had a fantastic time at Honda but it is time to move.'

A Honda spokesman said: 'Nicholas and his team have made a significant contribution to Honda's business which has grown tremendously over the years. Fleet and corporate sales will continue to be a key sector for the company.'