Lombard is strengthening its team that deals solely with large fleet business and fleets that require bespoke solutions.

This focus on large fleet business comes just weeks after the company closed its broker division, which was responsible for brining small fleets to Lombard.

The lease giant said that it remains committed to SME fleet business but that the move to build its large fleet team was so it could increase its market share.

Two new people - Peter Butler and Ian Banks - join the 20-person team, which has fleet relationship directors and public sector specialists along with dedicated fleet consultants and analysts.

Lombard’s major corporate customers already include British Gas, BSkyB, IKEA, St Gobain and the AA.

Lombard’s head of strategic accounts, Peter Crabtree, said strengthening the team would allow it to attract more large fleets.

“Peter Butler has an innovative and consultative approach to understanding customer requirements, and Ian Banks has a proven track record of working with blue-chip customers at board level and delivering real benefits through consultative review and policy revision. We will continue to invest in quality people in order to deliver on this opportunity and increase Lombard’s market presence.”