CONGRATULATIONS to Ian Rockingham who is hanging up his contract hire boots (so to speak) and looking forward to spending more time playing with his band – and doing all those things that have been time restricted – until now.
But the story doesn’t end there. Ian Rockingham, who is a Fleet Alliance Appointed Representative (AR) based in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, will hand over his ‘book’ next month but will still get a paid flat fee on each renewal or new business opportunity introduced, followed by an agreed fee in consecutive years.
In other words, Ian might be retiring, but the benefits of his list of fleet contacts continues to pay out to him for another three year contract cycle.
But it’s not just the financial side that impresses, says Ian.
“With the AR retirement plan, I can confidently hand over my contacts to a specific named person and move my operation seamlessly under the Fleet Alliance banner. So, nothing changes from the client perspective – except of course they are no longer dealing with me. And that is really helpful and in many ways comforting. No one wants to let down long standing clients.”
And Ian’s contacts are certainly long standing.
Following a career in finance, Ian got involved in contract hire in the 80s – which was still in its infancy – with Pendragon Contracts and then after five years, he spent a further 10 years with Sandicliffe Motor Contracts.
But it was in 2006 that Ian set up by himself as part of the new Fleet Alliance business, effectively as an AR although at the time he was called a Fleet Alliance member.
“Operating as a Fleet Alliance AR gives you the big company support when you talk to clients with fleet management products. Not many in the industry have the backing of good negotiating powers with funders like Fleet Alliance has, and you can tap into the excellent fleet management tools they provide, as well as accessing the Fleet Alliance Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme. The people there are also very supportive, and very knowledgeable.”
But now a new life beckons for Ian.
“It’s going to be a bit strange to be honest. I have been in finance and contract hire since I was a lad. For me, though, it’s run its course. “
Laura Muir, Head of Appointed Representatives and Partner at Fleet Alliance, says if brokers are considering becoming an AR, there is life and earnings beyond retirement in the package offered by Fleet Alliance.
“Life doesn’t need to end for your fleet contact list when you decide to retire,” says Laura. “Fleet Alliance remains fully supportive of your client database and the renewal business that it generates. So if you are an experienced broker who would like the support and expertise from an established business, then consider joining Fleet Alliance as an AR.
“We reduce your direct involvement with compliance management while the back end paperwork and chasing up is looked after by our accounts team in our Glasgow head office, leaving you to concentrate on nurturing your customer database and prospecting for new business.
“And when you do decide to retire, just like Ian, your customers are looked after and you continue to earn on your ‘book’ into your retirement.”
For further information about becoming a Fleet Alliance AR
- Download the Fleet Alliance AR brochure here.
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Ralph Morton is the leading journalist in the leasing broker sector and editor of Broker News, the website which provides information and news for BVRLA-registered leasing brokers. He also writes extensively on the fleet and leasing market in both the UK and Europe.
