Fiat Group Automobiles UK has appointed new managers as part of a strategy to support the country's top 50 contract hire companies.

Corporate sales manager Paul Frain has become contract hire and leasing manager (north) while new recruit Sam Watkins is his counterpart for the south of the country.

Watkins joins from Kia, where she was involved in implementing its dealer fleet specialist programme.

Frain and Watkins will report to corporate sales manager James McMenamin.

The appointments follow moves by Fiat Group to strengthen its relationship with the sector, including the appointment of three fleet account managers in Italy to deal with pan-European contract hire businesses.

The Turin-based fleet team will work closely with Fiat fleet teams across Europe to further develop relationships with the contract hire sector at a national level.

Fiat’s aim is to increase its penetration into the contract hire sector and promote the practicality and ‘green’ nature of its extensive car and van range to fleet drivers.