Alliance Asset Management is predicting double digit growth in 2014 and has expanded its team by almost a third as it looks to build on its success in 2013.

It has made a number of key appointments in its sales, sales support and central reservations teams.

Managing director Jeremy Lavallin has also reshuffled the company’s senior management team. Mark Thompson has been promoted to rental services director and takes full responsibility for Alliance’s corporate rental arm, while Colin Mather has been promoted to operations and fleet director, with responsibility for fleet, rental and funding operations.

Catherine Werrett continues as finance director.

While demand for the company’s vehicle leasing and contract hire solutions is increasing along with its portfolio of fleet management services, it is corporate rental that is driving growth.

Thompson said: “Vehicle rental is always in demand at the start and end of a recession. There is no doubt that growth in vehicle rental is a barometer for economic recovery.

“There is a marked increase in the number of vehicles we are renting to companies for new employees, whether that is for the duration of a probation period or as pre-contract vehicles whilst company cars are on order.

“Encouragingly, we are also winning significant new business for companies requiring commercial vehicles, in the construction and infrastructures sectors, as investment is being made across the country.

“Some businesses, particularly SMEs, are continuing to struggle to secure additional funding lines from their banks or leasing companies, so vehicle rental makes perfect sense. Throughout the depths of the recession, Alliance has continued to support new and existing customers through a difficult trading climate.”

“Corporate rental provides the ultimate flexibility for businesses. If staff leave or a contract ends without further work being secured, hire vehicles can simply be returned without any early termination penalty. Organisations simply pay for the length of time they have had the vehicle.”

Lavallin said: “It is a very exciting time for Alliance Asset Management as we benefit, not only from the economic recovery across the UK, but also our renewed focus on customer service, including the addition of a rental implementation team to ensure customers joining Alliance have a smooth transition from the incumbent supplier.

“Companies already benefiting from our range of services, such as contract hire, are now utilising other mobility solutions like corporate rental."