Since 2007, we have been providing short-term flexible and fixed solutions to thousands of business and personal customers up and down the UK, with some of the best premium vehicles in the marketplace.
But how did it begin?
In around 2006, Rhys Adams and Tracey Perry decided it was time to start up a new concept. To provide a contract hire and leasing broker that was like no other. No sales spiel, just honest and upfront advice from day one.
But unlike other contract hire & leasing brokers, we wanted to offer short-term solutions. Instead of signing customers into 2 or 3 year car leasing agreements, we would offer agreements of 6 or 12 months, or even open ended.
It was with great thanks to Jeremy Clarkson for the name: Cocoon. In a review for the Audi RS4, Jeremy (Clarkson) raced rock climbers, see if you can spot it in this video
Due to taxation reasons, we incorporated Cocoon Vehicles Limited on the 19th February 2007, having successfully completed a few sales and with some money in the bank, our accountants recommended that we made the company limited, this way we could still work within our respected jobs and keep earning without being taxed to heavily.
In 2007, we convinced ex-Dealer Principal; Myron Nykolyszyn to join the team and invest into the company, Tracey did a fantastic job of on-boarding Myron and we made the decision to open our first office, on Pride Park in Derby.
Later on in 2008, Tracey stepped back to concentrate on her Fiat Vans job and we spoke to our Contract Hire Rep from Marcol. His name was Paul Stone, he saw potential in the business and he also invested in the business, concentrating on onboarding new customers.
In 2009, Rhys finally joined the team after being made redundant from his role at a car dealership, it gave him the chance to concentrate on the marketing and accounts side of the business.
With the global financial crisis hitting in 2008, we were already on the right path with our short-term leasing offering. Major funders had been burnt and therefore, even credit worthy clients were being refused a line of credit. This was time for Cocoon to act.
Lombard granted Cocoon Vehicles a line of credit to purchase vehicles, so we went out into the market place and purchased 5x Audi A3 Sportbacks, not only was this the start of our own short-term car leases on our paperwork, but the introduction of the flexible car lease (aka car subscription).
As time progressed, we were given more opportunities to expand our fleet and progress in the marketplace.
Cocoon Vehicles made a few moves around Derby and at one point had a large headquarters and unit based on the edge of Pride Park, we are now located in Belper, Derbyshire which enables to look after clients in England, Wales and Scotland, with a strong customer base in London.
Being in Belper gives us excellent transport links with rail, bus and road all joining this central market town on the edge of the Peak District.
In January 2018, with Myron already retired and Paul heading the same way, Rebecca Adams (Rhys’ wife) purchased Paul’s shares in the business. Making Cocoon a family-owned business, giving clients and suppliers many additional benefits.
The original goal of Cocoon was to offer honest and upfront and advice from day one, on top of this they are striving to be one of the best car subscription providers in the UK. As competitors have come and gone, Cocoons model is to price all of the vehicles to stay in business and service our clients in a way, that we would want to be looked after.
The success of the business plan is reflected in the growth of the business and the glowing reviews on Google My Business and Trustpilot.