IAM holds first Business Customer Advisory Group meeting

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has held the first of a regular series of meetings with its new Business Customer Advisory Group (BCAG) to hear fleet managers' opinions on what they need from driver risk management programmes.

The meeting welcomed a variety of fleet, transport and safety experts from E.On, TubeLines, Siemens, Cannon Hygiene, Belron, National Services for Health Improvement, London Borough of Newham, and assurance provider LRQA, a member of the Lloyd’s Register group.

BCAG discussed the changing environment of those who drive for work, including factors such as traffic and technology and called for focussed and appropriate upskilling of their drivers. The primary demand of BCAG members was to keep their drivers safe.

Gary Bishop, fleet manager at Cannon Hygiene, said: “Being a member of BCAG gives me the opportunity to shape the future of smart driver risk management. The IAM has gathered together a vocal and knowledgeable group and is listening to what we have to say – we expect great things to come from the group over coming years.”

Lesley Upham (pictured), IAM’s commercial director, said: “Consultation with the Business Customer Advisory Group will help us understand what we need to do to create a supportive and holistic environment for both employers and employees.

“We are keen to provide cost-effective and accessible training, through the channels people prefer using, that give drivers transferrable skills they can take from their professional lives to their personal ones. For businesses we aim to provide a high-quality service that offers options to deliver effective fleet management for businesses across the country.”