The firm said its specialist franchise division for small businesses and private individuals has grown significantly and is expected to exceed last year’s 10% growth of the funded fleet year-on-year.

LeasePlan added that Network has benefited from closer working with the support functions in the Slough office – it expects to have transferred all functions to Slough by the end of March 2012.

David Brennan, managing director, LeasePlan UK, said: ‘As a result of closer integration between Network and the core business, we know far more today about what it takes to be successful in the franchisee market.

‘There is a compelling business case for bringing Network into the Slough headquarters. We truly believe that this change will deliver key benefits to franchisees and customers.

‘These include working together on important activities such as credit decisions, accounts payable and collections – all of these will become more integrated in Slough and will improve speed and ease of transacting. Logistically it will make communications between all relevant departments easier and we will be able to share best practice.

‘We believe that strengthening these links will reflect Network’s position as our largest brand and build an even stronger market position in the future.’