A NATIONWIDE building firm has had to resort to outsourced accident management in an effort to keep control over damage and repairs to its rapidly expanding fleet. David Wilson Homes started in the 1970s with four vehicles. It now has 940 on its books, 300 of which have been added in the last five years.

The firm has granted Willis Groups' Motor Initiatives team the contract for looking after its accident management through its Drive programme because, according to fleet manager Philip Waterfield, with 12 regional offices all dealing with their own repairs the situation had 'got in a mess'.

He said: 'It was getting difficult to keep track of what was going on, as often it was office girls who were given the job of dealing with small knocks and bangs, and things were getting left.' Willis, which has already dealt with David Wilson Homes on insurance and risk management, is also providing a dedicated phone line for the 250 non-leased vehicles on the fleet, giving access to recovery, tyre services, accident management and windscreen repairs.