Steve Archer is to head up Inchcape UK’s fleet strategy following his appointment to the newly created position of fleet services director.

Reporting to Connor McCormack, chief executive of Inchcape Retail, Archer’s role covers both Inchcape Fleet Solutions and retail fleet services.

Following 28 years service with the company, Terry Bartlett, Managing Director of Inchcape Fleet Solutions, has decided to leave to pursue opportunities outside of the Inchcape Group.

Steve Archer began his automotive career with Lloyd’s Bowmaker, a company providing financial service solutions to the motor trade, as a commercial account manager. Following a highly successful eight years with the business, he joined financing solutions provider GE Capital, working towards various directorship positions.

In 2004, he joined Inchcape UK, as director of financial services, with a brief to define and roll-out a financial services strategy for the UK business. Increasing profit nearly threefold upon its implementation, he was asked to spread this learning and good practice to a number of the company’s emerging markets, including those in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Commenting on the move, McCormack said: “Steve has been appointed to define and manage the fleet services strategy within Inchcape UK. His prior expertise, coupled with an intrinsic familiarity with the Inchcape brand, has allowed him to hit the ground running at Inchcape Fleet Solutions, and the company looks forward to a bright future with him at the helm.”

Archer said: “I am delighted to be overseeing the co-ordination of Inchcape’s fleet focus across the business. Inchcape Retail is one of the UK’s largest automotive retail groups with a significant fleet interest. Inchcape Fleet Solutions has a major presence in the fleet market with an established focus on IT developments to aid fleet operating cost savings and efficiencies and a reputation for first-class customer service. 2011 promises to be an exciting year for the business.”