Leasedrive VELO

Leasedrive and VELO merge to form Leasedrive VELO
2 January 2007

The Leasedrive Group and VELO have merged to form Leasedrive VELO, now the largest independent privately-owned vehicle management group in the UK. The new company has a combined vehicle fleet of around 17,500 cars.

The new senior management team at Leasedrive VELO comprises Roger Partridge as chief executive officer (formerly CEO of Leasedrive); Roddy Graham as commercial director (formerly commercial director of Leasedrive); David Bird FCA MCT as chief financial officer (formerly COO of Leasedrive); and Tony Johnston as chief operating officer (formerly chief executive of VELO).

New chief executive officer, Roger Partridge, said: “The fit between our two companies could not be better and must be the optimum one in the fleet sector. Both Leasedrive and VELO share the same core business philosophies of providing blue chip clients with the highest quality bespoke vehicle management service available. For our respective customers, this complementary merger represents a ‘win-win’ situation as, in addition to the ultimate in customer service excellence, they will benefit from a more comprehensive range of services, improved efficiencies and increased investment in new products and services.”

New chief operating officer, Tony Johnston, observed: “The combined historical fleet industry experience of our two companies exceeds 40 years but, more importantly, we have one of the most experienced management teams in the sector at senior and middle management levels. Pooling the wealth of management talent at our disposal will be good for the future of the group and our customers.”

Leasedrive, winner of the 2006 Fleet News Award for ‘Best Contract Hire/Fleet Management Company’ and 2006 GreenFleet Award for ‘Leasing/Rental Company of the Year’, is based in hi-tech headquarters in Wokingham, Berkshire. Established in 1983, it comprises three main operating divisions: Leasedrive Vehicle Management; Countrywide Car and Van Rental, one of the UK’s largest short-term vehicle rental management companies in the corporate market place; and Stopgap Mid-Term Vehicle Rental for corporate vehicle rentals of 28 days or more. The group was ranked No. 25 in this year’s FN50.

VELO is based in nearby Marlow, Buckinghamshire and was established in 1988. In addition to VELO vehicle leasing and fleet management, the group comprises VELO Accident Management; VELO Direct, offering a simple car ownership solution to cash-for-car drivers; and VELO Rental Management. The group was ranked No. 28 in this year’s FN50.

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