From Startup to Scale-Up: An 18-Year Journey with Prohire

  • IndustryDaily Rental
  • Fleet3,000 +

AMT Auto is a story of entrepreneurial vision turned into a national success. Founded in 1995 by Neil McGawley as a one-man leasing finance brokerage, AMT began with a simple yet bold mission: to offer a smarter way for people to lease vehicles. Recognising early on the potential within the car leasing market, Neil set out to build a business that not only met the needs of drivers but anticipated them.

Fast forward nearly three decades, and AMT is now a powerhouse in the automotive sector. Still led by Neil McGawley, the AMT Group today boasts a team of over 150 dedicated staff across the UK. But growth hasn’t just been about scale—it’s been about smart diversification.

AMT’s unique Rent, Lease, Buy, Sell, Insure and Subscribe model exemplifies its mission to offer “a vehicle solution for everybody.” Whether you’re an individual looking for a short-term rental, a business seeking fleet solutions, or a customer buying a performance car, AMT can deliver—literally and figuratively.

Vehicle rental became a core pillar of the business in 2008, starting modestly with just 25 vehicles and a single site. Today, AMT operates a fleet of approximately 3,000 vehicles, with four rental locations strategically placed across the UK to provide full national coverage. 

AMT Auto recently expanded again by acquiring Redline Specialist Cars, a well-known dealership that specialises in high-performance and luxury vehicles. This move strengthens AMT’s offering in the premium car market, providing customers with even more choice. It’s another step in AMT’s mission to offer a full range of vehicle solutions, demonstrating their commitment to growing and improving their service.

Behind AMT’s incredible growth is a clear focus on running things smoothly and putting customers first, and we at Prohire Software are proud to have been part of that journey for over 18 years.

In this case study, we take a closer look at how AMT Auto relies on Prohire Software to keep its rental operations running smoothly, simplify complex processes, and fuel its impressive growth. 

To get the inside story, we sat down with Shaun Kelly, Sales Director at AMT Auto, to hear firsthand how our partnership supports their success, every day and into the future.

Shaun Kelly

 

With deep industry experience and firsthand knowledge of Prohire Software, Shaun immediately recognised the value Prohire could bring to AMT when he joined the team.

 “When I joined the business in 2008, I had previously used Prohire Software for several years in a previous role. AMT didn’t have a rental or fleet platform, and this was the perfect fit for the business, having already had the knowledge of the system and capabilities. We have now used Prohire Software for 18 + years and the relationship continues to get stronger.

What began as a practical solution to a clear operational gap has since grown into a strategic partnership. As both companies have evolved, so too has the relationship, marked by collaboration, mutual growth, and shared goals. 

Shaun highlights how that dynamic has developed over time:

 “It has always been strong, but over the last few years, with the new version coming and upgrades, the relationship has also got stronger, better, and more frequent communication and face-to-face meetings.”

For AMT, Prohire has become more than just a system—it’s a backbone for daily operations. By enabling tighter integration between teams and automating key tasks, the business can remain agile while scaling. 

Shaun explains the impact it has on performance and efficiency:

 “Prohire Software allows us to operate efficiently and effectively, linking our sales and operations teams. Our centralised reservations team can manage everything across the whole network also. Prohire helps us invoice quickly, accurately and with a fair bit of automation, going directly to clients from the platform.”

As AMT Auto has scaled and diversified, Prohire has remained a vital tool across departments. From sales and operations to finance and customer service, the platform touches nearly every part of the business. While its flexibility supports various functions, some areas benefit in particularly powerful ways.


“All the features are important elements to the different teams,Shaun notes, “but I think from a finance perspective it is strong.”

 

This financial strength allows AMT to manage invoicing, billing, and client transactions with speed and precision. 

The results speak for themselves. Over nearly two decades of collaboration, Prohire has played an instrumental role in AMT’s ability to scale effectively and efficiently. Shaun puts it plainly:

 “We wouldn’t have been able to grow and scale the business if we didn’t use Prohire.”

Part of what makes the platform so effective is the support that comes with it. For AMT, the experience extends well beyond the software itself—it’s about the relationship with the people behind it.

Shaun describes the experience of working with Prohire’s support and development teams:

 “The teams are a delight to work with and are really helpful and supportive when we do have any questions.”

Looking to the future, the partnership between AMT Auto and Prohire is set to grow even stronger. With big plans on the horizon, including expansion of the sales team, new acquisitions, and a significant increase in fleet size, AMT is leaning into growth—and taking Prohire along for the ride.

 “It will only continue to evolve and develop! We have some exciting projects going on and a whole new sales team joining the business between now and September, acquisitions, and massive growth plans for the fleet over the next 2 years. With the newer version of Prohire happening in the future, we will grow together as we have done for the last 18 years!”

The story of AMT Auto is one of evolution—of bold beginnings, strategic diversification, and sustained growth in a fast-moving industry. But behind every milestone lies a foundation of reliable systems, strong relationships, and shared vision. For over 18 years, Prohire Software has been proud to play a part in that foundation.

As AMT looks toward a future filled with exciting developments and continued momentum, we’re honoured to be a trusted partner in helping them deliver smarter, faster, and more customer-focused mobility solutions nationwide. The road ahead is bright, and we’re excited to travel it together.