PHARMACEUTICAL giant GlaxoSmithKline has given cash-for-car schemes a boost after it announced it would be renewing the massive 5,000- employee programme it embarked on two years ago for a further five years.

With some industry experts claiming that the popularity of employee car ownership schemes is on the wane because of duty-of-care and HR concerns (Fleet NewsNet, Sept 23), the deal – one of the largest in the country – will come as welcome news for firms promoting the opt-out route.

GlaxoSmithKline, which originally launched the programme with Whitechapel, has appointed Interleasing to provide and administer cars through its Alto scheme, as well as providing a full risk management package, insurance administration and driving licence validation, as part of an agreement that Interleasing claims will save the company time and effort in paperwork.

Previously, GlaxoSmithKline had three suppliers, which it claims led to overly-complex administration. As a result, Interleasing will provide an administrator to manage all aspects of the scheme.

Interleasing developed a bespoke package including a ‘self-authorising’ website to complement the day-to-day fully outsourced helpdesk.

The system automatically recognises employees and gives them access to their personal information, such as what car allowance they have and what grade they are. Employees can produce their own quotes, place an order and arrange a test drive.

Harsha Modha, manager, benefit programmes at GlaxoSmithKline, said: ‘We have a very diverse workforce and we have to ensure that our benefits package meets the needs of all the different parts of the business.

‘As a benefit programmes manager I want to make sure that the car scheme is seen as an attractive benefit.

‘One of the reasons we moved to Interleasing was to reinforce driver responsibility. with an employee car ownership scheme.

‘Finance is provided directly to the drivers so that they can buy their own car, so we wanted them to become more aware of their own responsibilities such as maintenance and accidents.

‘The new website helps our drivers to develop a sense of ownership and accountability for these previously hidden costs.’

Andrew Starr, strategic account manager at Interleasing, added: ‘This is our 20th Alto deal and one of our biggest ever, demonstrating a vote of confidence in employee car ownership schemes.’