Underpinning its appointment to the Crown Commercial Service Vehicle Hire Services Framework, Europcar, the leader in car hire services in Europe, has appointed Andrew Franklin as its new director, public sector. 

With more than 23 years working in the fleet industry, including six years as head of public sector for Lex Autolease, Franklin will be spearheading Europcar’s clear focus on the mobility requirements of public sector organisations.

Europcar has been appointed as one of the suppliers on the Crown Commercial Service framework to provide UK Vehicle Hire, UK Car Share and International Vehicle Hire services, giving central government and the wider public sector access to a comprehensive range of services.

Utilising the company’s extensive car and van fleet and network of locations in the UK and worldwide, Europcar is also delivering new mobility innovations, including car sharing and electric vehicles.

Europcar has acquired majority shareholdings in two businesses that enhance its traditional short-term rental offering.

Mobility and car sharing start-up, Ubeeqo offers an innovative approach to business car-pooling, encompassing fleet and traveller management through its Bettercar proposition and enabling the introduction of electric vehicles in the pool fleet. 

With a focus on key city locations around the UK, E-Car Club is the UK’s first entirely electric pay-per-use car club, which will help public sector organisations focus on more sustainable transport solutions. 

E-Car Club currently operates across a number of UK sites including London, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Warwickshire, Fife and the Western Isles. 

From these sites, which include universities, local authorities and housing associations, E-Car Club has established its distinctive partner-led car sharing solution.

“Joining the Crown Commercial Service framework is a key opportunity for Europcar to continue to meet the needs of the public sector which is taking a lead in the development of sustainable and innovative mobility solutions”, explained Ken McCall, managing director, Europcar UK Group.

“The appointment of Andrew Franklin, with his extensive credentials in the public sector arena further reinforces our commitment to this market. 

“The E-Car Club electric car sharing business is designed to improve local mobility while reducing the costs and environmental impact of every journey. 

“And Ubeeqo is challenging the status quo of fleet management to improve productivity, reduce costs and enable more sustainable solutions– fundamental issues right across the public sector.

“Europcar’s investment in technology and innovation means we offer rental solutions that can have a meaningful impact on how central government and the wider public sector tackle the challenge of meeting all their travel needs in a way that’s safe, cost-effective, efficient and sustainable.”