LiveWest: Charity begins at home(s) by keeping close eye on costs

Vehicles are in Paul Ayris’s blood. His father owned HGVs, so, since a young age, he has been around the yard environment.

It was no surprise, then, when he entered the haulage sector, working for several businesses before setting up his own company.

“When it’s your money, that really focuses your mind on cost savings,” Ayris says. It was the ideal foundation for a career in fleet management.

The move from haulage to fleet began with a four-month contract managing a fleet of 120 vans for LiveWest. As the housing association entered a growth phase, bringing many outsourced projects in-house, Ayris was asked to be part of the journey.

That was eight years ago.

Following a merger with another housing association two years ago, the fleet has grown to 383 light commercial vehicles (LCVs), from car-derived vans to 3.5-tonne panel vans, including some tail-lift tippers.

All are purchased outright, giving the organisation the same level of flexibility and control it enjoys across its business interests.