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SEAT appoints two new members to fleet department

Steven Colborne-Baber, a former area fleet manager for sister brand Volkswagen, joins this week as southern contact hire and leasing manager. In addition, Lerato Barrett will be moving to SEAT in a new role as fleet development manager, having most recently worked as an area fleet manager for Skoda.

SEAT said that Colborne-Baber’s appointment will strengthen its relationships with leading southern leasing firms including Arval, LeasePlan and ALD. He brings 10 years of experience at Volkswagen, where he started as an area sales manager, before becoming area fleet manager. He also brings experience at Skoda, having recently completed a secondment in its fleet team which provided a high level of insight in contract hire.

He commented: “I’m very much looking forward to working with SEAT. It is completely unique as an automotive brand, offering Spanish style across a great range of affordable and desirable cars with German substance. I am proud to represent the brand in front of some of the most influential leasing companies in the UK, and delighted to have an exciting portfolio of vehicles to work with.”

Meanwhile Barrett will help to ensure the brand continues to deliver on its fleet objectives as it looks to increase volume growth in true fleet channels. Barrett has also worked with Skoda, most recently as area fleet manager. Her knowledge of fleet management also incorporates a three-year stint at Hitachi Capital Car Solutions as manufacturer relations account manager.

Barrett said: “Joining the Spanish subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group in a new role feels like a real feather in my cap. I am ready to take on the freshly created role and bring my knowledge of various automotive brands at different levels to SEAT. The mix of sportiness and fun in a fleet setting is something I’m eager to experience.”

Colborne-Baber will split his time between SEAT’s headquarters in Milton Keynes and leasing companies in the South of England, while Barrett will be based predominantly at head office.

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.