History

FVTH is a contract hire and rental company with a wealth of knowledge and experience to help their customers get the best transport results.  Offering the value of contract hire with flexible short term rental opportunities, FVTH can be your trusted transport partner.

Starting in 1985 in the rental business, FVTH has expanded since those early days while throughout still remaining a family business.  It now encompasses contract hire vehicles while still retaining a strong rental fleet to add flexibility for its customers.

From a simple beginning with two brothers working together offering rental vehicles, FVTH has grown into a thriving contract hire business, with a dedicated team of employees, an understanding of the industry, and loyal customers who have worked with the company for over 30 years.

The FVTH depots in Heathrow (Colnbrook) and Portsmouth are able to provide a local service to those customers in the south.  Working further afield with a UK wide service as licensees of the United Rental System. 

The company has grown steadily over the years, always ensuring that the level of service for customers is never compromised. Understanding and accommodating requirements as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Both depots offer a full range of vehicles, and FVTH has the flexibility to offer the correct vehicle whatever your transport needs.

Whether you are looking to start a new fleet, or expand an existing one – FVTH can help you – contract hire offers a truly flexible solution in these challenging times.

Our timeline

  • 1985 - Jim & Colin - start with just two vans

    Jim and Colin Brown started the company with just two vans. Working from their family farm and their small scrap metal company, and renting out vehicles to neighbours and local friends.

  • 1987 - Business established locally

    The business was now established locally, and the house-moving demands of the late 1980’s helped the business grow - with the increasing use of 7.5t box tail-lift vans. The beginning of FVTH fleet development.

  • 1990 - Branch out from pure rental model

    FVTH began to branch out from their pure rental model and put some bespoke vehicles on contract hire for their larger customers. Offering yet another choice for customers of their growing company.

  • 1992 - Founder member of United Rentals

    FVTH became a Founder member of the United Rentals Group, allowing the company to give UK coverage to all their customers. By using the buying power of a large group to benefit the members, FVTH were able to offer even more. Opening up nationwide service.

  • 1995 - 100 vehicle mark

    The fleet grew past the 100 vehicle mark, with continuing local rental demand and improving contract hire business. The local MOD became a customer working in a strong long-lasting partnership.

  • 2000 - Heathrow depot opened

    Heathrow location opened to service the new expansion of this major airport, where there was an increasing need for rental and contract hire vehicles.

  • 2005 - Builders merchants and DIY companies

    Builders Merchants and DIY market growth was supported by the expanding fleet. Working in partnership with specific builders merchants this was the start of the continued partnership with Jewson.

  • 2013 - Portsmouth depot opened

    New location in Portsmouth was added to the network to satisfy the demands of the ports of Portsmouth and Southampton. Expanding the company and giving FVTH another foothold on the south coast.

  • 2017 New management structure

    Tim Houghton became Managing Director in early 2017 – joining Jim Brown to keep the company moving forward. Tim brings over 35 years of rental and contract hire experience into the company and is set to develop and grow the business.

  • 2018 - 500 vehicles on fleet

    FVTH fleet now has over 500 vehicles. To support this continual growth a new management teams is now working to help move the company forward, to keep pace with continuing technology and the legislation improvements. Supporting our customers to give them the information they need to future proof their fleets.

  • 2022 - 30 year anniversary

    New Heathrow depot and expansion of the Portsmouth depot means the growth of the FVTH team. 30-year anniversary with United Rentals, and strong partnerships with customers leads the way to the future.

  • 2024 – Still growing with our customers

    FVTH continues to grow, helping their customers to negotiate the ever-changing landscape of legislation and new technology - designing fully compliant vehicles. Strong partnerships mean good business. Jim Brown, Founder & Tim Houghton, MD with new vehicles.

Meet the team

  • Managing Director

    Tim Houghton

    (Joined in 2017)

    This industry has been my life, starting way back in 1987, in a division of British Road Services.
    I have been a rental and contract hire sales person, with a long stint at Ryder eventually looking after some of Ryder’s largest customers.

    This is my passion, and everything about running this business is empowering. The size of our SME business means that we can act quickly to make things happen. Every day is a new experience and a school-day where I am always learning. The fact that we continue to meet and exceed targets set for the business is testament to the strong team we have built and continue to build.

    The proudest thing – outside my work – is my family – two fantastic daughters and a wonderfully supporting wife. This world is 24/7 and I have been doing this since I was 18! There is no such thing as a standard day – trucks and customers don’t stop because it is 5 o’clock! I am a truck spotter and my girls know every vehicle type on the road!

    Handing over keys to new vehicles – one vehicle or a fleet – still makes me inordinately proud.
    Exceeding client expectations, going that extra mile, and working with a team who are simply the best and make the impossible happen again and again, keeps me constantly astounded by humankind.

    Anyone who knows me, will know that I love socialising with friends and a little golf! Cheltenham races, Goodwood races, and September golf in Portugal are always on my annual calendar. The family also love Cyprus and the USA for a little relaxation.

    Joining this company and working for Jim Brown (one of the most uncomplicated and inspirational people I know) has re-energised my love for the business. It is with immense pride, that I plan to continue taking this business, its values and its 35-year old legacy forward.

  • Head of Rental and Contract Hire

    Sharron Allen

    (Joined in 2015)

    I worked in the industry before coming to FVTH, spending some time within the Ryder Truck Rental business, where I learnt the basics of rental and contract hire.

    FVTH is at its core a hands-on Rental and Contract Hire business, our difference is that we really do go that extra mile every day to supply vehicles to all types of customers throughout the UK. I manage all our biggest customers, working with them across all compliance and legislative issues, and managing their ever changing fleet needs. I also love engaging with new customers, understanding their business and finding the best solutions to meet those requirements. Known fondly as ‘The Crane Lady’ with our extensive range of builders merchant customers, we can supply what is really needed, using our experience and expertise. I am lucky enough to be supported throughout by a fantastic team.

    Moving from a corporate rental environment at Ryder to this SME made me realise that we have the ability to move quickly when needed, often an essential in our industry. Acting fast to deliver solutions for both contract hire and rental requirements is one of the joys of our working days.

    My proudest achievement is my son, now a very good car mechanic (sadly I have not been able to get him to move to trucks!). One other highlight of my working career was winning a skiing trip to Switzerland, when I was Rental Sales Manager of the year at Ryder.

    Now my time is also taken up by my two very special Chihuahua Toy Poodles – for such small beings they are very greedy (in time terms), but are a welcome change from the challenging industry that is part of my every day.

  • Head of Used Vehicle Sales

    Lee Brown

    (Lifetime)

    My life in this industry started as soon as I could walk, and I spent many early days crawling over the vehicles at our yard in Farnborough. Getting the vehicle bug instantly!

    The great thing about my work is that no two days are the same. Concentrating on my main activities around our used truck sales, there is a company ethos of working as a team, so that means I get involved wherever I am needed. It can mean that I drive and deliver vehicles, assist with maintenance and rental, as well as preparing vehicles for sale to our ever growing retail customer market.

    We are privileged to own all our assets, and we therefore have great flexibility when it comes to selling on. Progressing from a local to a national rental company is giving us lots of opportunities as our stock volumes grow, and I look forward to selling even more used vehicles in the coming months and years.

    My family make me proud every day, supported by my lovely wife, watching my two daughters grow and flourish gives me many proud dad moments. Setting up used sales channels in other countries, including St Lucia, offers exciting benefits both in work and leisure terms!

    Through and through I am a truck man and when I am not at work, I am working on trucks – presently restoring a Volvo F88 from 1974 – to show this year. I also own some restored classic cars and driving through Italy to the Amalfi coast, is a favourite for holidays.

    • Head of Finance

      Kay Tyas

      (Joined in 2020)

      My financial working life has spanned several decades, covering every aspect of finance and many sizes of business. I have been fortunate to have learned from amazing mentors along my journey.

      I now find myself working in a great SME. Working with outstanding colleagues, under strong leadership and within an encompassing culture. People are all important in our working environment and here at FVTH we have a great team. We really work together, everyone with the same vision – quite rare in these ever changing times. Connection with our customers and our full team is paramount to ensuring that my job is done well, and during my time with FVTH these relationships have grown stronger.

      However, work is only one part of my life, and although I love my job, my proudest achievement has to be my son. My job has enabled me to give him so many opportunities, and he is now a wonderfully independent caring young man. The other loves of my life are Jensen and Cooper, two Goldendoodles – who fill up my spare time with a wealth of healthy walks and endless washing (and that’s not only of dogs!).

    Testimonials

    • I have to say that the team at FVTH have been so easy to deal with it’s made the job very easy. So thank you to you and your team.

      Ian Wooff - Martin Brower

    • Having worked with much larger organisations, it’s clear that FVTH not only possess the all-important experience required to manage our fleet, but the agility and determination to resolve issues promptly too.

      Ross Negus - Southampton Freight Services

    • PML has had a working relationship with FVTH for 20-years. It is essential we work with people who understand our business, and FVTH certainly does.

      Mike Parr, PML

    • The service and personal treatment is really first class.

      Tim Clements, Team C Express

    • In our industry we need to 'keep the wheels turning', pardon the pun, and this is exactly what the entire team at FVTH strive to do, and deliver on. I would recommend in a heartbeat.

      Ross Negus, Southampton Freight

    • FVTH supports our fleet, they are a great team of people, committed to working with their customers.

      Mike Parr, PML

    • Always ready and willing to solve any problem with speed and a smile - necessary in our fast-moving business, where deadlines are short and always critical.

      Tim Clements, Team C Express