FLEET leasing company Masterlease has appointed Bob Rider as European remarketing director to develop its end of contract business.

Rider's role, said Masterlease, is to 'establish a European remarketing strategy to ensure every vehicle has a disposal plan in place before the leasing agreement is signed'.

Rider has held a number of senior posts within the UK rental and leasing industry, including fleet planning manager for Avis, general manager Avis Car Leasing, director and head of operating lease division LeasePlan, managing director of Masterdrive and, most recently, managing director of Fiat Auto Contracts.

'He will be responsible for ensuring the end of contract process is uniformly effective, with a strong focus on identifying appropriate sales channels to maximise the return from the sale of used vehicles,' the company, part of General Motors-owned GMAC Financial Services, added.

Rider will also work closely with the Masterlease board and the operating country managers in residual value forecasting, vehicle maintenance and other operational processes.

Masterlease managing director Ed Sabisky said: 'In just six years we have built a network of operations in eight European countries and plan to move into new markets over the coming year.

'As part of our development it is essential that we have a European remarketing manager to oversee this area of the operation.'

Rider will also work closely with General Motors Europe to assist in the development of residual value forecasting and the improvement of used car values of all GM products.