Rental and contract hire firm Fraikin has made several new appointments as the company looks to increase its UK market share within both public and private sectors.

Chris Longmuir has been appointed head of public sector, with a direct focus on driving growth within local authorities, government agencies and emergency service fleets.

This is an area where Fraikin has significant experience, holding multi-million pound long-term contracts with customers including Harrow London Borough Council and NHS Blood and Transport.

Longmuir brings more than 18 years’ experience within the vehicle rental and leasing sector having started his career in the customer services department of National Car Rental. During his time there he held a number of significant positions within the commercial team including account director and finally leisure sales director, before joining Avis Rent a Car as director of business development.

Prior to joining Fraikin he also spent time as area sales manager and regional development manager at Northgate Vehicle Hire.

Simon Johnstone will assume responsibility for targeting continued growth with large blue-chip businesses. He joins from Gulliver’s Truck Hire where he was initially business development manager for the North, before being named head of business - Manchester.

Johnstone began his career in the industry with Ryder Supply Chain Solutions in 1995, going on to become truck sales manager for Mercedes-Benz dealer Northside Truck and Van and then new business sales manager for Northgate Vehicle Hire. His final position in 2014 was an area sales manager for Collease Truck and Trailer Rental.

Colin Melvin, sales director, said: “At Fraikin we aim to assist fleets in reducing costs, ensuring compliance and minimising environmental impact. The new appointments to our team are directly in line with our drive to take this message out into the industry and build on our established position, both in the public and private sector.”

Longmuir and Johnstone have also been joined by Steve Farr and Steve Dunne, who have been appointed as regional business development managers for the South West and Midlands respectively.

Farr joined Fraikin from Mercedes-Benz dealer City West Commercials and Dunne moves to the role after more than a decade within Fraikin’s IT team.

His move complements the increasing requirement for technology-based solutions in the contract hire and fleet management marketplace.