Prohire’s Story Through Client and Team Voices
At Prohire, we take immense pride in being dependable partners for all our clients, placing them at the heart of everything we do. For 30 years, we’ve been driving the business growth of our customers with customised solutions, all while our team has experienced its expansion and development. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we look back on the journey that has shaped us into the leading rental management software provider we are today.
Through the voices of our longest-standing clients and dedicated team members, we explore how Prohire has evolved and what the future holds for us.
TVR Self-Drive: A Curry, a Vision, and a 30-Year Success Story!
TVR, based in Oxfordshire, has been one of our first customers, and their Managing Director, Jon Collins, has seen firsthand how Prohire has grown over nearly three decades. Jon recalls the early days of the partnership:
” It all started with a curry in Kidlington with Paul Newman, and our 30-year partnership began. Looking back, it was a time of streamlining and bringing vehicle rental into the digital age. Since the outset, we have used every Prohire product, from website booking widgets, finance and invoicing, vehicle tracking, and digital checkout.”
Jon’s continued appreciation for Prohire highlights the relationship built on years of trust and technological growth. He further shares his experience:
“Prohire is with us every step of the way, just a quick phone call away to assist with our day-to-day queries. From my team’s point of view, the ease of checking out a vehicle with a customer makes the whole process smooth. It gives both the customer and the team confidence that any damage will be detected, recorded, and managed in an extremely customer-friendly way.”
Barford Hire: 25 Years of Family Values, Trust, and Prohire’s Innovation
We also spoke with Amanda and Jon Periam, Directors at Barford Hire, who have witnessed Prohire’s growth over the years. Amanda recalls their introduction to Prohire over 25 years ago:
“My husband and I travelled down from Norwich and met Paul Newman, who hosted the training course with just a handful of us. Both Paul and David were key contacts in those early days and remain so, which is a testament to their commitment to Prohire. As a small, family business, we appreciate the care and haste of the support team on the rare occasion we need them and look forward to following their path of continued new and improved versions.”
FVTH: From Paperwork to Perfection
Tim Houghton, Managing Director at Farnborough Van & Truck Hire (FVTH), shares his experience with Prohire and its transformative impact on their business since 2006. Tim explains how the system helped them reduce costs and increase efficiency:
“I took over the business in 2017, and we already had Prohire in place. I realised quickly that we weren’t using the system to its full potential—we had billing problems and couldn’t control damage costs. I called the team from Prohire to review our usage and explained our challenges. We took on Prohire Companion and instantly reduced our damage costs and increased our recharges. Damage in our industry is hard to quantify, and Prohire Companion allowed us to demonstrate to our customers electronically the rental check-in and out. This has taken away 99% of damage queries and increased our recovery on damaged items that can be recharged to customers. Without Prohire Companion and its remote capability, we couldn’t run our business. I was from the time of paper check-ins and outs—never again.”
He goes on to share the system improvements that have helped FVTH improve billing accuracy:
“When I first looked at the Prohire system in 2017, I realised we were using it for fleet management but weren’t utilising the billing system properly. We reviewed the whole billing system, changed the data around the asset and customer, and created billing templates. We now have an Asset Management Platform, Customer Platform, and Billing Template. Once we created this, our billing accuracy increased, and we have pretty much zero billing errors/credit notes now. Correct vehicle, to correct customer, at the proper rate.”
Tim continues by highlighting the importance of the Prohire team:
“Paul and Rachel are available to assist with any trivial or difficult query. I dragged Paul to Portsmouth to complain about how slow and clunky I felt the system was, and he arrived, found the problem in 5 minutes, and said, ‘You have zero broadband coverage!’ We moved into new offices, and the internet was useless. We’ve since corrected that problem—thank you, Paul.”
Tim also shares his admiration for Prohire’s understanding of the industry:
“Prohire is not just a software provider; they are industry specialists. They have numerous customers who have rental businesses and have spent all their days talking about rentals for over 30 years. I think this is invaluable when providing software solutions. Paul and the team at Prohire truly understand rental and leasing.”
Prescot Self-Drive: 15 Years of Seamless Transformation with Prohire
As Prohire celebrates 30 years of innovation and growth, we are reminded how our strong customer relationships have shaped our journey. One such relationship is with Prescot Self Drive, a company that has seen first-hand the transformative impact of Prohire on its operations.
Here’s what the team at Prescot Self Drive had to say about their experience:
“Over the years, our journey with Prohire has been transformative. When we first implemented the software over 15 years ago, it marked a significant turning point for our business. Transitioning from outdated systems to an intuitive and dynamic rental platform enabled us to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and align our operations with our long-term growth strategy.
Since then, Prohire has continued to evolve, consistently delivering updates and introducing new functionalities that enhance the system’s capabilities. Their commitment to innovation has been instrumental in helping us navigate an ever-changing industry, equipping us with the tools needed to stay ahead.
Over time, Prohire has developed into a comprehensive ecosystem, seamlessly integrating web booking, a mobile app, vehicle tracking, and risk and security management. These advancements have made the platform even more powerful and indispensable to our operations. Their forward-thinking approach continues to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and reinforce our confidence in Prohire as a long-term solution for our business.
The helpdesk team are always incredibly responsive with support, and most issues are resolved within a few hours. Where we require assistance in report creation, the team ensures that we have exactly what we need with minimal fuss.
As they reach this impressive milestone, we are pleased to be part of their journey and wish them many more years of success.”
— From the team at Prescot Self-Drive
Parkers Car and Truck Rental: 30 Years of Growth – A Partnership That Stands the Test of Time
Another testament to Prohire’s enduring success is the long-term collaboration with Parkers Car and Truck Rental. Dave Chewter, Director at Parkers, has worked closely with Prohire over the years and witnessed firsthand their innovative solutions’ significant impact. Dave shares his experience with Prohire, highlighting the importance of reliability and support in their rental operations:
“I remember 30 years ago, Paul arrived in what I think was his sister-in-law’s car, which I believe was borrowed, trying to sell us a new rental program for our computer.
Paul was his usual self, full of life. His height overpowered me, and so did his enthusiasm. At that time, we didn’t know what we were getting into, but it worked out to be one of the largest and most successful rental systems used by United Rental Licensees and many others.
I took my business, Parkers, over 10 years previously – 40 years ago. I was busy trying to build my business, so we grew together, and it has been a very successful time together.
I would like to thank Prohire for all their support and am looking forward to continuing to build our business together.”
The Prohire Team: A Heartbeat of Dedication, Collaboration, and Care
The Prohire team is at the heart of our success, and our collaborative environment drives constant innovation. Our team’s vast experience and knowledge of the vehicle rental industry’s complexities ensure we develop the tools and technologies that simplify fleet management, optimise operations, and drive business growth.
Clare Eastop, Project Implementation Manager at Prohire, shares her thoughts on the team’s culture:
“Our team is friendly and helpful, and there’s a great ‘work-family’ vibe. This is honestly the first place I’ve worked where everyone is lovely, loyal, and working towards the same goal—to work hard for the company and do the best we can for our customers.”
John Farmer, Helpdesk Engineer at Prohire, describes the company’s commitment to service:
“Prohire stands out for its commitment to exceptional service and emphasis on teamwork and innovation.”
Tahsin Chowdhury, Helpdesk Engineer at Prohire, speaks to his personal experience as a newer member of the team:
“I am one of the new guys at the company starting in March last year, and I couldn’t have asked for a more welcoming team, not just in the helpdesk department but across the whole office.”
Lauren Ward, Project Manager, is our newest member of the team who is working closely with clients each day:
“In the two months I’ve been with Prohire Software, I’ve been inspired by the company’s unwavering “can-do” attitude and their genuine commitment to success. The team encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation, making it clear that challenges are growth opportunities. I feel very grateful to be here and look forward to my ongoing journey with the company.”
Jennifer Quinlan, Finance Administrator at Prohire, underscores the importance of a supportive work environment:
“Prohire provides unparalleled support and customer service to its clients, and I enjoy working in an environment where the client is satisfied. I also enjoy working with my colleagues. We are a fantastic team, and it is a very happy working environment.”
James Cole, a Sales Team Member at Prohire, shares his 15-year journey:
“It might sound cliché, but the people make Prohire special. I’m fortunate to be part of a talented team that cares about each other’s success. We motivate and support one another and are known to crack a joke or two. Plus, being with a company that’s always pushing the boundaries of innovation means I see firsthand how our work makes a real difference for our customers.”
Jamie Howes, Software Test Manager at Prohire, explains how he has found being a part of a close-knit team:
“Since joining many years ago, Prohire has maintained its family vibe even as the company has grown over the intervening years. Everybody is always on hand to get stuck in together to help overcome problems, even when they are not in our usual area.”
Molly Curtis, Marketing Lead at Prohire, talks about the team’s customer focus:
“The team focuses on providing our clients with the best possible service and solutions. We’re focused on building solid relationships with each of our customers because we know that’s key to our success.”
Pete Garcha, Senior Support Engineer at Prohire, talks about the exciting challenges the team faces daily:
“What I truly enjoy about Prohire is the fantastic team spirit and the variety of challenges we face together. I’ve always been involved in product development, and every day offers a chance for us to learn and grow as a team. Together, we’re focused on driving the business forward, expanding our expertise to ensure we provide exceptional customer support as we evolve.”
Rachel Ward, Sales Manager at Prohire, has witnessed firsthand the company’s transformation over the years:
“I began as a part-time telesales temp 15 years ago, and my role evolved as the company grew. Watching Prohire expand with new products and a growing team has been incredible. We stand out for our credibility, built on strong customer relationships. As an independent company, we offer flexible solutions tailored to our clients’ needs, many of whom have been with us since day one. Our supportive helpdesk listens and responds quickly, making a significant impact. As Prohire adapts to new industries, our sales approach evolves, preparing us for the future.”
Michael Carlyle, Software Test Engineer at Prohire, explains his five-year journey:
“In my five years at Prohire, I’ve had the chance to learn, take on new challenges, and be part of an incredible team that’s always supportive. Our customers have been great to work with, and it’s rewarding to see how Prohire helps their businesses thrive. I’m proud to be a part of it and to contribute to the development of Prohire in the years to come.”
Partnerships with the BVRLA and United Rental Group: Collaborating for a Stronger Future
At Prohire, we are proud of our longstanding partnerships with the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) and United Rental Group (URG). These collaborations have been vital in helping us stay at the forefront of the rental industry and continuously improve our software solutions to meet the evolving needs of our clients.
We want to thank the BVRLA for their ongoing support and for being a trusted partner in advancing best practices within the vehicle rental and leasing sectors.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the United Rental Group (URG) team. Their collaboration with Prohire has been invaluable, and we appreciate the continued trust they place in us as we work together to provide innovative solutions to the rental industry.
We look forward to further strengthening these partnerships and continuing to drive success for all involved.
Looking to the Future
As we reflect on our 30-year journey, we remain committed to delivering exceptional software solutions, fostering strong relationships with our customers, and pushing the boundaries of innovation.
For our team, the journey is just beginning. Every day offers us new opportunities to learn, grow, and provide the best solutions for our customers. We’re looking forward to another 30 years of continued success and evolution.
Paul Newman, Managing Director of Prohire, shares his excitement for the future:
“It’s been 30 years of relationships, history, learning, and evolution, and I’m incredibly proud of where Prohire is heading.”
Thank you!
