General Manager – Ford Business Partner
‘We engaged Colin primarily to give an independent opinion on a tender evaluation process knowing he would give it to us straight and respect our confidentiality. He delivered on all aspects with high quality and ahead of time. But this doesn’t highlight the biggest benefits you get from Colin. The real value points come from learning the things you didn’t know you had to know! Even though we’d been in the business for many years we learned from his knowledge. When you start a project you rarely quantify these sorts of intangible benefits but they can be material. If I were going into a similar exercise again I would certainly have Colin at the top of my external resource list.’
Tim Hudson – Commercial Director, LeasePlan UK
“Colin is a vastly experienced automotive finance expert. He has completed a number of profitability/pricing projects that have given excellent insight and that subsequently delivered real value. On a personal level he is extremely enthusiastic and great to work with.”
Major shareholder/Managing Director, fleet management company
‘Your presence in our business today lifted all our spirits as we had been ‘fumbling’ around in the dark. I feel renewed confidence because of the realistic way you approached the problem with us. I would hope that you will want to continue to play a part in our business for many years to come. Thank you very much for your good solid advice – I am in your debt and glad to be. In the short time you have been involved with us your input has been the most constructive and thought provoking I have ever had the good fortune of receiving in my 30 years in this industry.’
Managing Director, vehicle leasing company
‘We need a building full of people like you’
Martyn Moore – Editor, Fleet News
“Colin was an enormous help to me during my time as editor of Fleet News. Although I was an experienced editor with the skills required to produce a good newspaper, I didn’t have in-depth knowledge of the car and van industry. Colin is perhaps the greatest authority on the subject and agreed to collaborate on a series of articles for the newspaper that provided readers (and me) with priceless information and advice. He went on to work with a junior member of staff in the same supportive way. He is a great communicator, his books on the subject of fleet management are acknowledged as the text books, ultimate reference works and bible of the industry. He is also a thoroughly nice chap.”
Mel Goodliffe – Managing Director, Giraffe Automotive Services
“Colin is a longstanding business associate and friend and we have worked together on a number of projects down the years. He brings a detailed eye, technical know-how and a unique commercial sense to every challenge and opportunity and when in a corner looking for a solution that appears beyond reach Colin will really go that extra mile to deliver.”
Andrew Denton – Sales and Marketing Director, CHP Consulting
“Colin stands out as a real expert in this industry. He is a leader and innovator in the fleet pricing arena and one of those people who, to his great credit, challenges everything.”
Mike Lloyd – Managing Director, Central Contracts
“I have always found Colin to be approachable, quick to respond, dependable and extremely knowledgeable about the Motor Industry. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him.”
Adrian McMullan – Director, L&A Consultants
“Colin is a consummate professional. His knowledge of the fleet and leasing industry is encyclopaedic and his advice very sound. Always a pleasure to work with and looking forward to the next time we work together.”
Paul Ashton – Managing Director, Equalease
“Colin has handled several pieces of work for us over the last 5 years. His detailed knowledge of his subject and unique style have enabled us to move the business forwards in key areas. In addition, his friendship, and mentoring have been hugely appreciated over the past 10 years. I look forward to working with Colin again on future projects.”
Andrew Abbott – Owner, Derwent Management Services Ltd
“We have worked with Colin for about four years. He has a deep insight into the UK contract hire industry and we have found his help and support invaluable. I would thoroughly recommend Colin as a highly effective business consultant….and also a very nice guy.”
Vincent St Claire – Managing Director, Arval PHH
“Colin has always and continues to be one of stalwart’s of the automotive industry. He consistently is able to demonstrate that he has the most relevant and up to date information coupled with his in depth knowledge of all aspects of the mechanics and processes of operating a fleet.”
Christopher Lavender – Operations Director, Marshall Leasing Limited
“During my time with Marshall Leasing I was involved in a number of committees and projects through the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA). Many of these meetings were chaired by Colin. I have always been impressed by Colin’s passion and commitment to these meetings. Always leading the discussions and sharing his vast knowledge of the industry with the other participants. Much of the content of these meetings developed to become policy within the BVRLA in particular the training and development programmes. I have no hesitation in recommending him.”
Stephen Dilley – Fleet Influence
“Colin is that rare combination of experienced professional and talented theorist who can, as a result, deliver innovative solutions to most problems related to the automotive leasing and finance industries.”
Akira Shimomura – Automotive Dept Manager, Sumitomo Corporation, Japan
“I hired Colin as a Business Consultant and found him to be a real expert with high integrity”
Mark Cowling – Director, CAP Motor Research
“Clear, insightful and creative solutions to operational and strategic challenges. Deep knowledge of leasing market enabled straight to the point discussions delivering detailed solutions.”
Derek Soper – Chairman, International Advisory Associates
“I have known Colin for many years and find him always at the top of the ‘energy’ game and spot on with ‘delivery’. I have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone who wishes to get things done.”
Kevin Leedham – Managing Director, GCH 2000 Ltd
“Colin is someone I feel I can talk to with confidence in the knowledge of his expertise & experience & I have every confidence in recommending his advice.”
Nick Hardy – Director, TCH Leasing
“Working with Colin has always been the most positive experience. He’s insightful, innovative, great to work with and at all times professional, as well as someone with a vision of how to do things differently and better.”
Denis McCafferty – EVP & Head of Global Structured Finance & President, Public Finance at De Lage Landen Financial Services Inc
“Very impressed with his knowledge, ability to apply concepts to practical ends. Excellent ability to convert concepts into practical commercial applications that saved us money.”
Brian Rogerson – Editor, Asset Finance Europe
“I have known Colin for many years as a business colleague and friend. He has advised me on industry issues and given valuable editorial for all of the trade magazines with which I have been associated I.e. Motor Finance, Leasing Life and Asset Finance Europe. His knowledge of the automotive fleet sector is encyclopedic and, to my mind, unsurpassed. And his slide presentations are the best going.”
Robert Murray – Director, Private & Commercial Finance Limited
“I have known Colin since 2004. His knowledge of finance, accounting and in particular the vehicle leasing business is very hard to beat. He provided invaluable support and advice to our business when we were setting up a contract hire business and has remained a good contact and friend since. I would definitely recommend his services. Make sure you read his books too!!!”
Peter Cakebread – Managing Director, Marshall Leasing Ltd
“I’ve known Colin for several years, and in that time, we have had many discussions during which it has been evident that he has a full and detailed grasp of the industry, and its many layers. I have also seen a number of reports written by Colin, which have proved to be focused, insightful, and free of the generalistic waffle that frequently characterises such offerings. In summary, Colin is one of the very few deep thinkers in the industry, and one who I would trust to provide genuinely useful analysis and comment.”
Yvonne Layton – Fleet Transport & Operations Manager, Highways & Transportation, Essex County Council
“Colin is a very trustworthy and reliable person who has detailed knowledge of the industry. I consider him to lead in the field of business cars both commercially and those placed in local authorities. Colin’s book are excellent and very informative and I am happy to work with him any time because of the accuracy of the advice and support he gives. Colin is someone who can definitely make a difference to your business in a positive way.”
Mike McRae – Operations Director, VELO Limited
“Colin is a very experienced and respected senior manager, with many years involved in the vehicle leasing industry. I have always found Colin dedicated and enthusiastic, with the objective of exceeding his clients’ expectations. He is well known in fleet circles and has a pleasant personality. I would therefore, not hesitate to recommend Colin to help support your business.”
Chris Crow – Head of Risk, Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions
I have known Colin over 10 year. His knowledge is extensive and he has written several highly respected publications concerning the fleet industry. He has developed an intelligent system to optimise the margin versus risk balance which has been adopted by many of the leading leasing companies. I would have no hesitation in recommending him.