Former Quicks Group chief executive and deputy chairman Alec Murray has been appointed to the board of directors at Black I.

The Harrogate-based contract hire and vehicle management company hopes Mr Murray's dealership experience will help grow its presence in the franchised dealer market. It presently works with 12 groups, which operate more than 120 outlets nationwide.

Black I managing director Nick Brown said: “This move will enable us to forge closer relationships with our existing franchised dealer network and to identify potential new partners who will benefit from our Dealer Alliance programme.”

Dealer Alliance links retailers to multi-make contract hire and vehicle management facilities via Black I's database, giving them the ability to provide prospective customers with instant quotes.