Lombard Vehicle Management has created a new business team to feed its ‘hunger for new large fleet business’.

The move marks the company’s focus on major fleets and away from SME business.

The 18-strong team will work solely with larger fleets and those that require bespoke solutions.

The new unit is being headed by Peter Crabtree, who has joined from Bank of Scotland where he spent 14 years working on corporate vehicle business.

He will lead the team consisting not only fleet relationship directors and account managers but public sector specialists and fleet consultants and analysts.

“This is a specialist division which will provide complete focus on our most important customers and their unique requirements,” said Crabtree.

“We are hungry for new business and believe that by fully utilising our existing strengths as a solution provider with a comprehensive funding and management offering, and adding a new level of account management, we can gain significant new business at the valuable premium end of the market.”

Lombard’s managing director, Stuart Houlston added: “We are part of the UK’s largest asset finance company, with substantial backing and capital, but are also lean enough to react to customers’ needs in this fast-changing market.”