Thirteen-hundred of fleet's finest gathered at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London last night for the 20th Annual Fleet News Awards.

It was the fleet industry’s biggest party with Ford and BMW the biggest winners of the night, scooping 10 awards between them.

The event is also about recognising individual outstanding performance and three fleet managers walked away with the top prizes in the industry.

The Platinum Award, for outstanding achievement, went to Stewart Whyte.

Fleet News Awards 2008The judges said of Mr Whyte: "His strong opinions make him an imposing character and the really annoying thing is that he is most often right.

"Stewart's work as a fleet consultant and director of fleet operators' association ACFO draws on his unrivalled knowledge of all things fleet.

"Nobody can doubt his energy, passion and dedication to the fleet industry and Fleet News is truly grateful for all his help and enthusiasm."

The host of the evening was broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald with the entertainment provided by Bobby Davro and Frankie Boyle.

Pictures: the entertainment
Pictures: the champagne reception
Pictures: the award winners

  

 

  • Fleet Manager Awards


Fleet Manager of the Year – sub-100 vehicles

Winner: Jug Johal, North Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Trust

Shortlisted: Jane Edgworth-Lane, MITIE Pest Control

Fleet Manager of the Year – 101-400 vehicles

Winner: Marie Jarrold, British Car Auctions

Shortlisted: Mark Tyler, Pickfords/SIRVA; Peter Bateson, Delarue

Fleet Manager of the Year – 401-plus vehicles

Winner Gary Black, Inspired Gaming

Shortlisted: Lynne Bundle, Pfizer; Michelle Hallam, Fisher Scientific; Martin Hannan, Norwich Union Operational Services; Stuart Middleton, Metropolitan Police Service; Val South, Xerox; Nigel Trotman, Whitbread Group; Craig Watson, Integral

  • Manufacturer Awards

Best Small Van (up to and including 2.2 tonnes)

Winner: Volkswagen Caddy

Shortlisted: Ford Transit Connect, Vauxhall Corsavan Volkswagen Caddy

Best Medium Van (over 2.2 up to and including 2.8 tonnes)

Winner: Ford Transit

Shortlisted: Mercedes-Benz Vito, Volkswagen Transporter, Ford Transit

Best Large Van (over 2.8 up to and including 3.5 tonnes)

Winner: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Shortlisted: Ford Transit, Volkswagen Crafter, Iveco Daily

Best Small Car

Winner: MINI

Shortlisted: Mazda2, Peugeot 207, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Polo

Best Small Family Car

Winner: Nissan Qashqai

Shortlisted: Honda Civic, Peugeot 308, Vauxhall Astra

Best Large Family Car

Winner: Ford Mondeo
Shortlisted: Honda Accord, Volkswagen Passat

Best People Carrier

Winner: Ford S-MAX
Shortlisted: Ford Galaxy, Vauxhall Zafira, Volkswagen Touran

Best SUV

Winner: BMW X5
Shortlisted: Honda CR-V

Best Working Vehicle

Winner: Nissan Navara
Shortlisted: Mitsubishi L200, Toyota Hi-Lux

Best Small Premium Car

Winner: BMW 1 Series
Shortlisted: Audi A3

Best Large Premium Car

Winner: BMW 3 Seies
Shortlisted: Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Best Executive Car

Winner: BMW 5 Series
Shortlisted: Audi A6

Best Luxury Car

Winner: Range Rover
Shortlisted: Mercedes-Benz CL

  • Service Company Awards

 

Best Innovation

Winner: AA Fuel Assist
Shortlisted: Connaught Engineering, GreenRoad Technologies, Realtime Risk Assessment

Best Safety Initiative

Winner: Thatcham
Shortlisted: GreenRoad Technologies, Peak Performance Management

Best Leasing Initiative

Winner: LeasePlan "Good to Great Initiative"
Shortlisted: Leasedrive VELO "Funding Panel Initiative"

Best Short-term Rental Initiative

Winner: National Car Rental "Fleet Optimisation Initiative"
Shortlisted: Hertz/LeasedriveVELO "BBC Initiative"

Best Customer Services Initiative

Winner: Abbey Associates Car Leasing
Shortlisted: Autoglass, LeasePlan

  • Headline Awards

Fleet News Environmental Award

Winner: BMW
Shortlisted: AA Business Services, Amey Infrastructure Services, Citroën, LeasePlan

Fleet Supplier of the Year

Winner: Peak Performance Management
Shortlisted: AA Bsiness Services, Hertz, Lloyds TSB Autolease, RAC Motoring Services

Fleet of the Year

Winner: Whitbread Group
Shortlisted: E.ON, Inspired Gaming, Network Rail, Norwich Union Operational Services, Pfizer, Pickfords/Sirva

Company Car of the Year

Winner: Ford Mondeo
Shortlisted: Audi A4, BMW 3 Series

Fleet Manufacturer of the Year

Winner: Ford
Shortlisted: Audi, Volkswagen

Platinum Award

Winner: Stewart Whyte