260 – Special offer website

LAST week I managed to catch up with Peter Leyden.

I’d first met Peter towards the end of last year – he had just been appointed head of SME sales at the leasing company
Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions. And I was keen to know what Peter, and Hitachi, would be offering small businesses by this appointment. (See
Blog 93 – Hitachi considers BVRLA membership for brokers)

However, following a review of operations, Hitachi decided on an about-turn and ditched the SME operation. And Peter. Which, to put it mildly, was a bit harsh. And, having had experience of Hitachi as a leasing company for many years, most uncharacteristic of the company. But perhaps that‘s a sign of the times.

We had exchanged a few calls since that moment, but since then it had gone very quiet. Which probably meant Peter was up to something. Indeed he was.

Peter has joined www.NationalAutomotive.co.uk as operations director. And putting his knowledge of the small business market to good use there.

“National Automotive is basically a website for brokers to place their special offers,” Peter told me.

“However, it‘s not an aggregator of all special offers. These brokers have to be BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Assocition) or

NACFB (National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers) approved to get on the site so they meet proper car leasing broker standards. And we limit the number of brokers who can advertise.