LeasePlan is uniting its two broker arms – the Network franchisee division and the intermediary broker division of Automotive Leasing – into one business unit.

The new broker business will be developed during 2008 and relaunched in 2009 as a new business proposition.

Currently, Network is responsible for 40,000 units a year and the Automotive Leasing brokers 10,000, giving the combined division a fleet of 50,000 vehicles.

However, within five years it’s expected that the new broker unit will be responsible for 75,000 vehicles, according to Christophe Desplace, the current brand director of Network.

“We will become a giant of the industry,” said Mr Desplace, who will be responsible for the strategic direction of the new business and expects the new division to be rebranded.

Tim Hudson, commercial director, LeasePlan commented: “We have closely examined the logic of retaining two separate brands.

"Bringing our two broker divisions into one, we will provide an unrivalled solution to the UK intermediary broker sector.”

While Mr Desplace concentrates on the forward direction of the new broker division, Jo Elms - currently the brand director of FleetLine - will take over from Mr Desplace as Network brand director.

Richard Bunn, currently Network’s general manager of operations, will take over Ms Elms’s current responsibilities at FleetLine.

Mr Desplace said Network would cease recruiting new franchisees at the end of June.

“We want to increase the value of the brand in the market place.

"And it would be wrong to recruit new people to the business when the proposition may change.”

Automotive Leasing’s public sector division remains unaffected by the changes to its broker business.