Baird has worked in the motor industry for more than 28 years. Over the past nine years with Marshall, he has been primarily responsible for the development of sales opportunity during a period of growth in the Marshall Leasing fleet.

He has also been a familiar and active figure within ACFO for over 25 years and is currently a director as well as chairman for the London East region. More recently he has become a member of the Institute of Car Fleet Management.

Peter Cakebread, managing director, said: “Marshall Motor Holdings PLC believe strongly in internal staff development and promotion. At Marshall Leasing I have been able to build my board from within. This sits extremely well with our extraordinary staff retention and ‘Great Place to Work’ staff survey results. I am delighted to have been able to make this appointment at the start of what we believe will be another great year for our sales operation.”

The promotion follows the addition of two new recruits to the new business team at the Cambridgeshire-based independent contract hire company, which is part of the recently floated Marshall Motor Holdings Plc.

Jonathan Ross, sales & marketing director, added: “The message is clear, we have a great reputation, we have a fantastic client base and we want to grow both.”