Leasing Options buys Allied Vehicle Contracts

Leasing Options has announced the acquisition of Allied Vehicle Contracts, the West Yorkshire-based vehicle leasing company.

Allied Ventura – which trades as Allied Vehicle Contracts – was acquired by Leasing Options for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition forms part of a wider, ongoing business development programme which aims to further extend and consolidate Leasing Options’ position within the UK fleet sector.

The former owner of Allied Vehicle Contracts, David Whitehead - who originally founded the business in 1997 - will join the Leasing Options’ management team as director of operations and will help to integrate Allied’s bespoke fleet management tools into Leasing Options market-leading, in-house, technology systems.

The fleet specialist division will continue to operate from the existing Allied Vehicle Contracts offices in Halifax.

Nigel Brain, CEO and co-founder of Leasing Options, said: “This is an exciting time for Leasing Options, and we are delighted to announce this significant development for the business.

“We believe the combined strengths and synergies derived from the integration will enable us to compete at the highest level in the UK fleet sector, bolstering our established presence in the B2B marketplace.”

Karin Butschok, CFO and co-founder of Leasing Options, added: “This is a strategic acquisition and provides us with a specialist platform, additional skill sets, and a portfolio of bespoke systems and experience that will allow us to take full advantage of the opportunities that present themselves to us within the B2B sector.

“Leasing Options will be retaining the Allied Vehicle Contracts team and brand as a key component of our business fleet growth strategy.

“We’ve known David for a very long time, and have been impressed that, like us, he has always prioritised great customer service, building his business around sustained customer relationships and creative fleet solutions. We are very much, looking forward to developing further opportunities with the Allied Team” 

Mike Thompson, COO of Leasing Options, emphasised his commitment to continue steering the Leasing Options Group through this period of growth.

He said: “This really is a further demonstration of the exciting plans and vision that the owners and management team at Leasing Options have for the future. 

“We are going through a real period of growth, and this is set to continue well into 2022 and beyond.

“To achieve this level of success and continued company growth, is a great testimony to the team. We have an incredibly dedicated team of over 70 staff, with more than a quarter of them having been with us for over 10 years – with some having even celebrated their 20th anniversary.  

“We’ve been able to create a strong family culture that we are committed to nurturing and continuing.

“We have aspirations for further organic growth as well as through acquisition, should the right opportunities come along.

“However, we also remain committed to maintaining our personalised and flexible approach to business while upholding the excellent customer service standards, of which we are very proud.”

Whitehead added: “I am really excited about the enhanced proposition that the integration will allow the Allied brand to extend to its existing and prospective fleet client base.

“Leasing Options are one of the UK’s largest, most well-established vehicle leasing brokers, led by a skilled management team. The integration makes perfect commercial sense.”