An Interview with the New President of Foss, Basil Marcus, on His Strategic Vision for Fleet Management Leasing

With a lifelong passion for automotive, he journeyed from business development to leading one of Canada's top fleet management companies. Introducing Basil Marcus, the new president steering Foss National Leasing into the future. In this interview, he shares how he's tackling challenges, empowering his team, and setting new benchmarks for tomorrow.

Interviewer: Your journey to becoming President of Foss National Leasing is quite intriguing. Could you share how you got here? What initially attracted you to Foss National, and what's keeping you excited about leading the company now?

Basil Marcus: Eight years ago, I was looking for a company that matched my values while allowing me to tap into my entrepreneurial drive. With a background in business and a lifelong love for cars—my father restored classic cars—I felt Foss National might be the right place. Being introduced to Jeff Hartley, my predecessor, confirmed my suspicions. His profound knowledge inspired me to learn more. The culture at Foss, built by Karen Foss and the Foss family, was also a big draw—it’s people-focused, collaborative, and values new ideas.

Jeff Hartley (the former president of Foss National Leasing) and Basil Marcus

Since joining Foss National Leasing, I’ve moved from business development to commercial director, managing director, and now president. What excites me most is the company’s entrepreneurial spirit. As a family-owned, proudly Canadian business, we value every team member's role, and I work to give them the tools they need to succeed. From the very start, I saw Foss’s potential to grow and shake up the fleet management industry in a 'polite Canadian way '—thoughtful and steady.

Today, after doubling our fleet under management, expanding into new segments, launching products, and using new tech, Foss National is on its way to becoming the leader in the Canadian fleet market. We’ve evolved into a tech-driven company, using data to improve both client and employee experiences. The only thing that hasn’t changed over the past decade is our name—we’re a whole new company now. I’m passionate about what we’re doing and excited to push the limits and reach new goals.

The only thing that hasn’t changed over the past decade is the name—we’re a whole new company now.

Interviewer: Given your experience, how do you see the current state of Canadian fleets? What are some of the biggest challenges you're noticing, and how is Foss planning to tackle them?

Basil Marcus: The outlook for fleets is increasingly positive. After several years of supply chain disruptions, 2024 has shown us that we've been through tough times. Manufacturers are ramping up production, dealer lots are full, and competitive incentives are back, creating a favourable environment for clients seeking efficient fleet solutions.

That said, we remain mindful of economic fluctuations. Vehicle costs have risen over the past four years, sometimes as much as 20 or 25%, complicating acquisition decisions for businesses. To help clients navigate these challenges, we provide extensive support and offer tailored, cost-effective strategies. While we can't control the economy, we can ensure that our foundation is solid.

One of the most transformative shifts is the electrification of fleets. While manufacturers are producing excellent electric vehicles, the high upfront costs, charging infrastructure investments, and changes in operational practices have slowed the adoption of e-vehicles into fleet operations. We've positioned ourselves as a bridge between manufacturers and clients—educating them on the benefits and requirements of EVs and guiding them step-by-step through the entire transition process.

The rise of data and technology is equally impactful to fleet operators. As I’ve mentioned, we are well on our way to transforming Foss National into a truly tech-driven organization. While our current solutions are strong, we’re just beginning to unlock the full potential of our data. With enterprise-grade technology and a team of data analysts constantly evaluating insights, my vision is to offer even greater transparency and value for our clients. I’m excited to roll out much of this technology in the coming years.

At Foss National, we don’t see fleet management as a commodity. Instead, we approach it as a comprehensive, end-to-end service that offers a truly personalized experience. The future of fleet management will be driven by trust, transparency, and honesty in client relationships, paired with a deep understanding of each client’s operations and goals. This is what we believe will shape the future of our industry.

At Foss, we don’t see fleet management as a commodity. Instead, we approach it as a comprehensive, end-to-end service that offers a truly personalized experience.

Interviewer: It sounds like you're positioning Foss National to be at the forefront of these industry shifts. Looking ahead, what's your vision for 2025 and beyond? How will your strategic plans impact your clients and partners? Are there any new services or initiatives they can look forward to?

Basil Marcus: For 2025 and beyond, I'm very excited that we have a dynamic team and are in a market recovering from supply chain shortages. Again, we're trying to find what normality looks like within the fleet sector. Having seen signs of improvement in 2024, our goal now is to achieve consistency moving forward.

One of our main priorities now is refining our customers' segmentation. We want to better understand how they want to be treated—not how we want to treat them. This is challenging, but we're very focused on it.

Our vision is also to provide greater transparency for our clients whether they manage 10 cars or 1,000. We work hard to offer seamless access to all information related to their fleet—vehicles, costs, cycling, and more. We're refining our client portal and communications. We aim to integrate key data points from our services, telematics, and the vehicles themselves. We will analyze and interpret this data to serve 'on the plate' comprehensive, real-time insights for improved fleet efficiency.

Foss National Leasing's Leadership Team

Our other priority is the short-term lease product, which has experienced tremendous growth in the past five years and is now one of our core business units. We will continue investing in it to enhance the client experience—from vehicle pickup and drop-off to offering more commercially suited terms and competitive pricing. We strategically prioritize our clients' flexible or seasonal needs because we believe fleet management requires synergy between managing flexible needs and long-term needs.

Another important aspect of our business is maintaining and expanding our partnerships. We work with thousands of vendors nationwide—dealers, fuel companies, maintenance providers, accident repair services—who interact daily with our drivers and vehicles. They must embody our values of honesty and trust. We're improving interactions to enhance efficiency in maintenance approval and fuel control. Our 'no driver left behind' policy is vital for roadside assistance and accident programs. We hold vendors accountable and continually seek new partnerships to better serve our customers.

Interviewer: How do you see Foss National playing a role in shaping the future of the fleet industry as a whole?

Basil Marcus: When I think about Foss National today, I see a true innovator in the fleet sector. We've invested significantly—not only in servicing but also in understanding the fleet industry so we can serve it better. While changes don't happen overnight, our thoughtful and steady approach has made a real difference.

I envision Foss's future in Canada's fleet industry as a consistent market leader and a benchmark for others to follow. We will achieve this through how we serve our customers, treat our team members, and position ourselves in the market.

Basil Marcus with his family

Interviewer: And speaking of your team, what are your thoughts on the future of the Foss team?

Basil Marcus: Our team is the heartbeat of the company. Recently, we held a leadership offsite focused on 'yesterday, today, tomorrow,' and it was inspiring to see the passion and dedication everyone brought to the table. They don't need micromanagement; they're driven by a shared vision to provide the best for our clients.

This enthusiasm permeates the entire organization. Walking through our offices, you can feel the energy and commitment. It's this collective spirit that sets us apart and propels us forward. I’ll do my best to support this team spirit. 

They don't need micromanagement; they're driven by a shared vision to provide the best for our clients.

Interviewer: It's wonderful to hear about such a strong team culture. Before we wrap up, is there any message you'd like to convey to Foss National Leasing's employees, clients, and partners?

Basil Marcus: I want them to know that we're deeply committed to their success. Every decision we make centers around providing exceptional service and value. We're excited about the future and the innovations we're bringing to the table.

Personally, I'm grateful for the trust our clients and partners place in us. Leading Foss is both an honour and a responsibility I take to heart. We're on this journey together, and I'm confident that we'll navigate the changes ahead and achieve great things.