In the spotlight: Maxxia

A new name in asset finance, Maxxia has been laying the foundations for growth in the fleet sector and eyeing a place in the Fleet News FN50.

The business is a 50/50 joint venture between the founders of Visper Asset Finance and established Australian company McMillan Shakespeare, which includes Interleasing and Holden Leasing among its divisions.

Maxxia was launched in February 2013, but strengthened its UK operation with the acquisition of CLM Fleet Management in October.

Maxxia needed an operational back office for its fleet business and initially worked with Fleet Hire. However, Maxxia chief executive Roger Skinner says: “It was always part of our business strategy to establish our own infrastructure.

The acquisition of CLM provided the ideal opportunity for us to achieve this.

“It’s business as usual for CLM, but from a Maxxia perspective it gives us a platform and the opportunity to talk to their clients.”

CLM is a specialist vehicle fleet management company that was established in 1981 with a fleet of more than 12,000 vehicles across about 50 clients.

The acquisition means customers can now access general asset financing, vehicle finance, sale and leaseback, fleet management and employee leasing solutions from one provider.

Tony Hulatt, managing director of CLM, says: “There is a good cultural fit between our two businesses. We both have a strong focus on customer service and are firm believers in a transparent and integrated approach.

“We built our business on the premise that a single point of contact, which can actively manage any fleet requirement, is better for businesses.

"The acquisition by Maxxia takes that one step further to offer a truly consolidated fleet management solution.”

Skinner adds: “CLM customers may be taking fleet management services, but we can now talk to them about where we can effectively leverage the relationship.

“It also means we can look at developing new products.”

Skinner was one of the founding members of Visper Asset Finance, which was born in the wake of the sale of GMAC-owned Masterlease to Investec in 2010.

Skinner, together with finance director Lisa Edwards, chief financial officer Gareth Shaw, business development director Gordon Calder-Jones, chief revenue officer Julian Humphreys and marketing director Catherine Dawson founded the asset finance company in 2011.

“We all worked together in Masterlease UK and Group on an international basis and between us covered many of the main business areas,” says Skinner.