Zenith Vehicle Contracts has become the UK’s biggest fleet management firm following the acquisition of Reading-based employee car ownership specialist Provecta.

The deal creates the largest independent leasing, fleet management and vehicle outsourcing business in the UK. The Zenith fleet is now 26,000 vehicles in size and includes prestigious clients BP, Asda and Ernst & Young. The purchase of Provecta also gives the Northern based company a foothold in the South of England.

Andrew Cope, chief executive of Zenith said: “The most cost-effective solution for fleets in the future will be delivered by fleet providers which have the full range of specialist products and services at their disposal. Our ability to deliver a new approach to a company’s total transport needs is what makes this deal really exciting.”

Zenith was established in 1989 as a specialist provider of bespoke fleet management services, concentrating on the provision of innovative management solutions.