Celebrating Activa’s
20th birthday
At Activa Contracts, we really know our business. Since 2000, we’ve been recognised in the industry as the car experts. We’re ranked as one of the top leasing companies in the UK and we’ve won awards for our customer service.
This year, 20 years after our very first car was delivered, we’re celebrating by doing 20 good deeds in 2020. It’s important that we give back to the communities we work in and that’s why we’ll be raising money and working on lots of projects throughout the year.
Timeline
From humble beginnings to an award-winning leasing company with a nationwide fleet of vehicles, Activa has had a busy 20 years!
2000 - Activa launches
Ian Hill and Peter Smith meet with Eddie Hawthorne and Hugh Wallace and agree to set up an Arnold Clark contract hire operation in England. Working from home initially, a small team are recruited and the name Activa is born.
2000 - Our first car is delivered!
In November, Activa supplies a Citroën Xantia to Blick UK Ltd and business begins.
2001 - Activa opens its first office
We set up shop above Barclays bank in Newport Pagnell. Measuring only 1000 sq. ft, it’s just big enough for the few founding members to press on with building the business.
2004 - Activa gets bigger…
As the business and team numbers grow, a larger space is required. Activa moves to a much larger office block nearby which is shared with other businesses. Over the next few years, Activa takes up more and more of the office space as other businesses move out.
2010 - 5,000 vehicle milestone reached
Activa’s contract hire fleet size passes 5,000 vehicles.
2014 - Daily rental debuts
As part of our commitment to providing a full portfolio to our customers, Activa establishes a daily rental service to offer short-term rental packages.
2015 - Activa moves to Milton Keynes
Having run out of space in Newport Pagnell, Activa makes the short trip into Kingston, Milton Keynes where an old BMW branch is renovated and converted to the Activa HQ that we use today.
2016 - We launch our LCV team
Activa sets up a specialist LCV team to provide a dedicated service to our commercial vehicle customers.
2017 - Leasing Company of the year
Bravo! Activa wins Leasing Company of the Year at the Fleet News Awards. Great recognition for all of the hard work the team has put in.
2020 - Activa turns 20!
To celebrate our 20th birthday, Activa will be doing 20 good deeds in 2020 and working closely with charities and organisations close to our hearts.