he UK’s premier fleet decision-makers’ organisation, ACFO, and the leaders of the Global Fleet Consortium Network have met up for the first time to discuss how to work together to promote fleet management best practice worldwide. Paul Hollick, chairman of the ICFM also attended the meeting, bringing forward his idea that it may be possible to both ‘harmonise and globalise’ fleet manager qualifications.
“From the discussions there is huge commonality of issues around the world that fleet managers are facing. Understanding how those topics are being tackled and sharing best practice via our respective websites and providing overseas fleet managers with access to ACFO’s webinars on key industry matters would be a major step forward,” said ACFO Chairman, John Pryor.
“We have agreed to work more closely together and keep Global Fleet Consortium Network members updated on the key issues in the UK and how ACFO is tackling them in terms of promoting best practice. In the future we may look at benchmarking across the UK and United States fleet markets, common webinars, monthly newsletter and developing a global news portal with case studies and PR items,” he added.
The meeting identified the following fleet industry issues that fleet managers face: rising vehicle acquisition costs particularly with an increase in safety-related features being fitted to vehicles; increasing fuel costs; improving air quality and environmental matters; taxation changes and regulatory controls.
ACFO and ICFM have already agreed on forging closer links in order to promote the benefits of professional fleet management and the importance of training and education, coupled with the implementation of best practice.
In the US a similar fleet manager training programme has been established to operate in the UK, but successful completion results in a mini-MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree.
“It is always excellent to form collaborations around the globe. We will share information on how qualifications globally can work for both UK fleet managers and those based in the UK but with broader fleet responsibilities in Europe and around the world,” concluded Paul Hollick.
