Property deal puts fleet management firm on the road to further growth
An award-winning fleet management company in Wiltshire is expanding into bigger premises with expert advice from South West legal and financial planning firm Mogers Drewett.
Fleet Service (GB), which provides a range of innovative driver and vehicle management services, has acquired three business units totalling 9,000 sq. ft in the village of Notton near Lacock.
The new premises will provide the firm, which employs about 40 people, with double the amount of operating space when it relocates from its current base in Corsham.
The company’s rapid growth has been fuelled by the success of its custom-built driver performance and vehicle management software. Its market leading technology provides businesses with real-time data on driver performance and vehicle maintenance, helping clients reduce their fleet operating costs and improve safety.
Fleet Service (GB) currently manages 18,000 vehicles and drivers for a range of organisations including leading housing associations and providers of transport services to the NHS.
The company acquired its new premises through the share purchase of SDLS Property Ltd which owns the site.
Tom Webb, head of Mogers Drewett’s corporate and commercial team, and Jenna Allsop, a senior associate in the firm’s commercial property department, advised on the legal aspects of the deal.
Fleet Service (GB) was also advised by Martin Crook, relationship director at Barclays Corporate Banking which partially funded the share purchase. Mogers Drewett acted for Barclays as well, advising on its loan against the property. Bath-based accountants and tax advisers Richardson Swift also advised Fleet Service (GB).
Jeremy Jarvis, finance director at Fleet Service GB, working alongside Peter Hitt the company commercial director, said: “The advice we received from Mogers Drewett was excellent.
“We found them to be very responsive and clear, explaining things in plain language rather than using legal jargon. Tom and Jenna were really tenacious in their approach which ensured everyone involved operated to the same tight timescale.
“They worked very hard on our behalf to get us to the point where we could complete on the deal. We now have the premises we need to grow as we develop further our range of services to support and train fleet drivers.”
Tom Webb of Mogers Drewett said: “Fleet Service GB are a real local success story and it’s been a pleasure to work with them.