ACFO’s new chairman has vowed to try to attract new members by representing their interests at the highest level and raising the profile of the organisation.

Membership of the UK’s largest body representing the interests of businesses which operate cars and vans has been falling in recent years.

It’s currently around 600, but with thousands more involved in fleet management, Damian James recognises considerable untapped potential.

“We want to be more involved in promoting fleet management and representing our members’ interests in Government, with the likes of the DVLA and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC),” he said.

“For us, that’s the key to attracting new members, but we also want to get involved in more events to help raise our profile and put us in touch with a wider audience.

“We’re conscious that there are thousands of part-time fleet managers like myself, who are combining fleet management with other roles, who may not be aware of ACFO and we need to reach out to those people.”

James, who is head of operations at Bracknell Forest Council, was unanimously elected by the ACFO board to serve as chairman for the next year, having held the post of deputy chairman for the past 12 months.

In addition, Caroline Sandall, who has been fleet manager at Barclays Bank for more than eight years, takes over as deputy chairman. Both were unopposed.

James, who joined the ACFO board three years ago having been involved with the organisation for more than a decade through its south west and Wales region, takes over the chairmanship from Julie Jenner.

He said: “Julie will be a tough act to follow. She’s done a fantastic job for us over the past few years, but sometimes you just need a bit of a change and with Caroline coming on-board as well, as fleet managers we will come at it from a slightly different angle.”

Jenner, who was re-elected to the board by ACFO members at the organisation’s recent AGM, steps down from the chairmanship having been first elected in 2006. She was elected to the ACFO board in 2003.

Although no longer leading the organisation, she will take on a role that will see her work to strengthen ACFO relationships with a range of external agencies.

They include Government departments, such as HM Treasury, HMRC, the Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), as well as the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and the Institute of Car Fleet Management (ICFM).

Additionally, she will look to further cement relationships with both the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which have each recently appointed new chief executives.

She said: “We are frequently asked to provide, both formally and informally, views on a wide range of issues to Government and we work with many other organisations on formulating responses pertaining to an array of fleet matters.

“Essentially that will be my role, while relinquishing the wide range of day-to-day responsibilities that the chairman has to handle.”

James is confident they will be able to steadily grow the membership over the next 12 months.

He said: “Becoming chairman is a really exciting opportunity for me and marks the highpoint of my career with ACFO.

“Over the years I have found the knowledge and experience of fellow ACFO members tremendously helpful in assisting me in managing a fleet, and through my work as chairman I hope I am able to return that assistance and help other fleet decision-makers.”

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