The Companies House rental business will be supplied via Countrywide’s UK network of over 73,000 cars, vans and minibuses. Under the terms of the new contract, Countrywide will be required to deliver to any UK government office or private address, provide one-way rentals, an out of office hours delivery and collection service plus comprehensive management reporting.

Companies House, based in Cardiff, is an executive agency of DTI. It is responsible for the incorporation and dissolution of companies; for the registration of information supplied by them under the Companies Act and related legislation, and for making this information available to the public.

Roddy Graham, Countrywide's commercial director, said: ‘We successfully retained this business, based on our past customer service record and our ability to deliver a cost-effective and quality car and van rental service. We first started working for Companies House in 2000 and became its sole-supplier the following year. It is great to continue this valuable partnership.’