The new division will combine a number of existing UK business functions including marketing, product services, new product development and consultancy services.

The division will be headed up by Lesley Slater, former director of LeasePlan brand, in the newly created board-level role of business development director. She brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked in most sectors of the leasing market in her 20-year career with LeasePlan.

In other significant changes to the leadership team at LeasePlan UK, former head of remarketing, James Hopkins has been appointed as brand director of Network and following her change of role, Lesley Slater has been replaced as director of LeasePlan brand by Simon Carr, formerly LeasePlan Go brand director. 

Matt Dyer, managing director at LeasePlan UK, said: ‘The creation of the business development team will ensure new products enjoy a seamless progression from conception right through to effective delivery to our customers. We’re immensely proud of the innovation that runs right through our business, and this new structure will ensure our customers benefit from this even more.

‘I’m delighted that Lesley is taking on this new role and her track record of delivering results via exceptional customer service delivery and clear leadership were key reasons for her appointment. We have fantastic talent at LeasePlan UK  and these recent internal promotions are testament to this.’

Lesley Slater, business development director at LeasePlan UK, said: ‘I am delighted to be leading this new division. Our strength as an organisation has always been our customer-first approach and it is the right time to combine this even more closely with our longstanding commitment to innovation.

‘As we look to enlarge our market opportunity we are developing a series of new products and services and it is essential that these are implemented effectively to ensure we continue to exceed customer expectations in all areas.’