EIGHT out of 10 fleet brokers expect to see further consolidation in the market next year.

A survey by funding provider Network, which has 145 franchised brokers around the UK, found that 78% of those questioned expect to see more of an estimated 3,000 firms join forces in 2007.

Christophe Desplace, head of Network, said it was good news for fleets that want to see a stronger, better regulated broker market with fewer unreliable entrants.

He said: ‘Regulation is a major issue among fleet brokers, and a period of consolidation could take out many of the less reliable providers. Those who survive will be the larger, financially stable firms that fleets can turn to in confidence.’